Anthony Albanese has responded to the Opposition’s demands for explanations regarding his friend Daniel Andrews posing with dictators and autocrats at a military parade in China, labeling the Opposition as ‘delulu’.

However, the Prime Minister—exhibiting an unusual moment of vulnerability following his election victory—implied criticism of the former Victorian Premier, stating that he or his MPs would never have taken the same trip.

Andrews was among a select group of world leaders invited to attend a 10,000-strong military procession in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II in China on Wednesday.

Remarkable footage captured the former Victorian Premier being welcomed by President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan during a red carpet procession, before the Communist leader proceeded on an open-top vehicle tour past one of the largest and most imposing displays of military equipment ever witnessed.

Andrews’ choice to participate in a ‘family photo’ with dictators such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, and Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian has drawn criticism from across the political landscape back home.

Nonetheless, Albanese refrained from directly criticizing his friend and former flatmate for mingling with leaders often referred to as the new ‘axis of evil’.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley asked the Prime Minister about the optics of Andrews posing with despots and dictators.  

‘What message does it send when the Prime Minister of this country doesn’t have the spine to condemn his former flatmate, Daniel Andrews for posing in family photos with the Iranian President, a leader whose regime has actively orchestrated attacks on Australian soil?’, Ley asked.

But Albanese was having none of it. He accused the Opposition of being ‘delulu’, a Gen Z word short for ‘delusional’ he first introduced to parliament in March after being dared by an influencer.

‘I am not responsible for what every Australian citizen does,’ he told parliament, adding that the former Liberal government sent then-veterans affairs minister Michael Ronaldson on Australia’s behalf to the 70th anniversary in 2015. 

But the PM did offer an implicit criticism of Andrews’ actions, stating that neither he nor his MPs would have gone.

‘My position is very, very clear. Which is we did not send any government representative because it wouldn’t have been appropriate,’ Albanese added.

‘None of my team would have sat in that position, as simple as that.’

He added: ‘It certainly is not something that I would have even thought of doing and no-one in my government would have thought of doing, as simple as that.’

Andrews has been criticised even by those on the left.

Former Labor Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Andrews had gone a ‘bridge too far’. 

‘I respect Dan, I respect Bob, but I think they’ve just gone the next level,’ Palaszczuk told Sky News.

‘Go there for a holiday, do your business talks, but there’s no need to attend this military parade.’

‘Trade is one thing, and tourism, but military parades, I would honestly stop and think seriously about that.’

Albanese and Andrews are old friends and once shared a flat together in Canberra in the late 1990s. 

The Australian ambassador to China, Scott Dewar, was not in attendance at the parade.