Dan Andrews poses alongside Xi, Putin and Kim Jong-un

2 weeks ago 3

Former premier Daniel Andrews has posed in a group photo with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a parade in Beijing to commemorate the end of World War II, after shaking hands with China’s leader Xi Jinping at the ceremony’s red carpet.

Held to mark 80 years since Japan surrendered, the parade featured a show of military strength that former NSW premier Bob Carr, who is in the country for the broader commemorations, decided to skip and called “Soviet-style”.

Former Victorian premier Dan Andrews posing behind Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

Both Andrews and Carr came under heavy scrutiny for their planned attendance from both sides of the Australian political spectrum and were described as “pawns” of the Chinese regime by Coalition MPs.

Andrews stood in the back row of an official image of the event that included numerous country leaders, just metres behind Kim. Earlier in the day, he was filmed shaking hands with Xi Jinping at the red carpet entrance to the event.

Carr was previously believed to be attending the event, but told this masthead he would attend separate indoor events following the parade, and address two Chinese international relations think-tanks instead.

“I told the Chinese I wouldn’t be attending the parade but that I’d like to accelerate arrangements to talk to think-tanks,” Carr said from China.

“I had to make a decision on whether I was attracted to a traditional Soviet-style military parade or if I wanted to opt for the meetings with delegations, a unique constellation from South East Asia. I opted for the meetings.”

Carr’s decision meant Andrews, whose Victorian government controversially signed up to China’s Belt and Road agreement, was the only Australian politician invited to the military showcase who was comfortable attending. An official from Australia’s embassy is attending other events related to the commemoration.

Former Queensland premier Anastasia Palaszczuk said Carr and Andrews’ attendance at the commemoration events was a mistake, before Carr declared he would not be going to the parade. “If it were me, it’d be a definite N-O,” Palaszczuk told Sky News this morning.

“I respect Dan, I respect Bob. But I think they’ve just gone the next level. Go there for a holiday, do your business talks, but there’s no need to attend this military parade.”

Both opposition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie and Nationals Leader David Littleproud described the pair as “pawns” of the Chinese regime.

“They’re being used by the Chinese regime because they have influence with the Albanese government. That’s why they’re invited. They’re going because of their own egos. The reality is this is a military parade, where not even the Australian Ambassador will be representing Australia there, won’t even be in the city to be near this military parade,” Littleproud said on Sky.

During his speech to gathered crowds, Chinese leader Xi Jinping took a veiled swipe at the United States, saying: “comrades and friends, the Chinese nation is the great nation that is never intimidated by any bullies and always values independence and forges ahead.

“Today, humanity again has to choose which – peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, win-win co-operation and zero-sum game. The Chinese people firmly stand on the right side of history and the progress of human civilisation.”

Andrews was contacted for comment.

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