Daniel Andrews defends China visit as deputy premier rebukes him for photo with dictators

1 week ago 4

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll has publicly rebuked his former boss, Daniel Andrews, for posing in a photograph alongside dictators and alleged war criminals, saying it wasn’t worth it to further his personal business interests.

It comes as Andrews publicly responded to his appearance for the first time, saying the event was a chance to meet with regional leaders, and defended his stance on geopolitical issues such as the war in Ukraine.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Iranian president’s daughter Zahra Pezeshkian, Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, and his wife and Azerbaijan vice president Mehriban Aliyeva.

Andrews said in a statement released Thursday afternoon that attending the Chinese military parade to celebrate 80 years since the end of World War II “was a chance to meet and engage with regional leaders – like former New Zealand prime ministers John Key and Helen Clark, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and, of course, Chinese President Xi. We also shared in an official photograph.”

The official photograph features Andrews standing alongside some of the world’s most reviled political leaders, including the leaders of Russia, North Korea and Iran. Australia last week expelled the Iranian ambassador after announcing Iran had orchestrated the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne and a deli in Sydney. Russian President Vladimir Putin is being pursued by the International Criminal Court for allegations of war crimes, and the United Nations has said North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un could be guilty of crimes against humanity.

Carroll’s comments contrast with Premier Jacinta Allan’s response to the image. Allan, while not commenting directly on the pictures, said it was a good thing for Victoria that Andrews was well liked in China.

But the deputy premier, when approached by the media outside Treasury Place on Thursday, questioned Andrews’ judgment in appearing at the event.

“Most Victorians will be asking: Is it worth it for self-interested business purposes to be having a photo standing behind Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin?” Carroll said.

“I think for the vast majority, myself included, the value judgment [is] it’s not worth that photo, and that’ll be the question that Victorians want answers on.

“It’s not something I would have done.”

In his statement, Andrews defended his decision to attend the Chinese military parade, which was also a display of Chinese military might.

“I’ve said for years that a constructive relationship with China – our largest trading partner – is in Australia’s national interest, and hundreds of thousands of Australian jobs depend on it. That hasn’t changed,” he said.

“And just so there’s no confusion: I have condemned Putin and his illegal war in Ukraine from day one. That’s why he banned me from Russia last year.

“Further, my support of Israel and Australia’s Jewish community has been outspoken and unwavering, and I unequivocally condemn Iran for its attacks on Australia, Israel and elsewhere around the world,” Andrews said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also distanced himself from Andrews’ decision to attend the military parade, saying neither he nor any of his ministers would have considered going.

“My position is very, very clear, which is we did not send any government representative because it would not have been appropriate,” Albanese said during question time in federal parliament.

“None of my people would have sat in that position, as simple as that. It certainly is not something that I would have even thought of doing and no one in my government would have thought of doing.

“What individuals do very separate from the government is a matter for them.”

Andrews and Carroll previously locked horns in the week of the former premier’s retirement in 2023. Carroll led his Labor Right faction to challenge for the leadership after Andrews and his Left grouping had thrown their support behind Allan, with Tim Pallas as her deputy.

This led to a heated party room meeting, which was ultimately resolved with Allan elected as leader and Carroll in the deputy position.

Since retiring from politics, Andrews has set up multiple corporate entities, named Wedgetail Partners, Glencairn Street Pty Ltd and Forty Eight & Partners. Some of his post-politics work has been to assist Chinese businesses looking to invest in Australia.

Carroll said it should be remembered that Putin, with help from Jong-un, was currently waging war against Ukraine and that Foreign Minister Penny Wong had in the past 24 hours sanctioned 14 Russian elites for enabling the war and silencing political expression.

He also referenced the 38 Australians who had lost their lives in the downing of flight MH17, for which Europe’s top court this year ruled Russia was responsible.

“They represent everything we stand against, and we should never stand with them. Always stand against them,” Carroll said.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Allan did not address the other attendees of the event but said it was good for Victoria that “Daniel Andrews is held in such high regard by the people of China”.

“Victoria is an old friend of China, and these connections are so valuable for our state,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to building on this connection by leading a trade mission to China this month, where I’ll meet with business, government, educators, and communities and launch Victoria’s new China strategy.”

Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin said Andrews needed to think about who he was standing with and the impact the photos had on local communities.

“He stands with the president of Iran, and we already know there are reports about [Iranian] involvement with the synagogue fires here, and the pressures on the Australian Jewish community,” he said.

“This is a responsibility for Daniel Andrews to now come and explain why he has decided to stand with those people.”

A spokesperson for the Australian Ukrainian Congress urged Andrews to apologise, calling his appearance an “appalling lack of judgment”.

Military personnel shout as they take part in a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender held in front of Tiananmen Gate, in Beijing on Wednesday.

“There are 11500 Ukrainian refugees in Australia seeking shelter and protection from Putin’s war crimes, most of whom (5500) are currently in Victoria,” they said.

“These people deserve better than this distressing appearance by a senior Australian and Victoria leader.

“We ask Mr Andrews to reflect on his terrible lack of judgment, and ask him for a clear expression of regret for the serious distress he has caused to Australian Ukrainians and the many Ukrainian refugees here.”

Victorian Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said Andrews had ultimately appeared in a personal capacity but it was not an event she would attend.

“I’m unlikely to ever be invited to such an event, let alone attend one,” she said.

“That is ultimately a matter for him, he’s attended as a private citizen.

“I’m not here to speak for Dan Andrews today ... that particular event is not likely one I would ever be invited to, nor would I attend.”

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