Scott Morrison has been accused of leading a “sleazy and desperate” assault by stoking perceptions parliament is divided on national security.
With a federal election in sight the Morrison government has ramped up its attacks on Labor, insisting it is too soft to handle China.
But intelligence experts have warned appearances of a domestic split could be used as an opening from foreign actors.
“It is a long time since an Australian government has actively sought to create a partisan divide on national security,” former ASIO director general Dennis Richardson told The Australian.
Appearing before a senate estimates hearing on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Marise Payne was grilled about her government’s heightened rhetoric on China.
“It is clear that some of your colleagues are pushing such a narrative (about a lack of bipartisanship). “How can this be consistent with our need to reassure our allies that on such long-term objectives there is bipartisanship on these issues?” Senator Kristina Keneally asked.
“There is a point upon which we agree and that is the importance of consistency. And one of the issues which has been raised in recent political debate is that question of consistency and that is an observation which I think the government is entitled to make,” Ms Payne replied.
Pressed on if she had sought to reassure allies that Australia was united on issues of national security, Senator Payne indicated that she had.
“I always assure them of Australia’s strength and resilience and of the basic positions and values that we hold,” she said.
But tensions boiled over after Labor accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of conducting a “sleazy and desperate assault” on Australia’s national security.
“You’ve had a series of opportunities minister over the course of the morning to reassert the value of what is a many decades-long tradition of bipartisanship on national security in the face of what is a sleazy and desperate assault of the national interest by the Defence Minister and Prime Minister,” Labor senator Tim Ayres told the committee.
“I would expect a foreign minister would stand up for the national interest at this point. It’s very clear that you’re not prepared to do that.”
A frustrated Senator Payne rejected the accusation but cautioned that politicians must ultimately own up to their commentary.
“You may have not been in the room but I did have an exchange with Senator Kenneally on these matters in which a very different position was articulated by on behalf of the Labor Party,” she responded.
“I reject your editorial characterisation.
“But it is the case that members and senators, no matter who they are or where they sit, ultimately have to xjmtzywown their own remarks and language. And I mean every single one.”
Earlier, DFAT department secretary Justin Hayhurst was asked if Beijing sought to stoke divisions within Australia.
“I think, senator, it’s fair to say that the Chinese system seeks to exploit social and other divisions in countries to pursue its interests – that’s very apparent,” he told the hearing.
It comes just a day after Mr Morrison lashed Anthony Albanese for being “too soft” to handle China.
“We’re not going to be coerced by the Chinese government,” Mr Morrison said.
“We stood up to them. But, you know, Labor, when it comes to these issues and keeping Australians safe, they’re just soft.”
