Albanese Questioned Over Andrews' Participation in China's Military Parade Amid Backlash

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced questions over the attendance of former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews at China’s military parade, which has drawn criticism from the federal Opposition and a former state leader.

Criticism was also directed at former NSW premier and federal Labor minister Bob Carr, who was initially believed to be attending the parade marking 80 years since Japan’s defeat at the end of World War Two.

Carr later told Nine newspapers he would not be attending what he described as a “Soviet-style” parade, and said he would instead attend separate indoor events and address Chinese foreign policy think tanks.

Wednesday’s event was China’s largest-ever military parade, with tanks, state-of-the-art aircraft, and perfectly synchronised troops filling the streets of Beijing, marking a show of China’s growing firepower and geopolitical clout.

At the event’s red carpet, Andrews was pictured shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He later posed in a group photo that included Xi, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

A group photo of men and women in formal attire.

Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews (top right) in a group photo with Chinese President Xi Jinping (bottom, centre), Russian President Vladimir Putin (bottom, second from left), and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (bottom, right) during China’s largest-ever military parade. Source: AAP, EPA / Sergey Bobylev/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool

On Wednesday morning, the federal Opposition sought to cast the decision to attend as a show of poor judgement.

“I think for those two individuals, they need to explain why they are attending a military parade that Vladimir Putin is attending and what that actually tells the world,” Opposition leader Sussan Ley said, before Carr confirmed he would not be attending.

Opposition home affairs spokesperson Andrew Hastie described the event as a “parade for dictators” and a “celebration of the Chinese Communist Party”.

Albanese was asked what he thought of Andrews — who is there in a personal capacity — being at an event with Putin and Kim.

“He’s not meeting them,” Albanese told reporters.

Asked what he thought about Andrews being arguably the most high-profile Australian at the event, Albanese said: “We’re sending a diplomat, we’ll be there.”

A Chinese military band performs during a military parade. There are rows of personnel holding red flags behind the band.

The parade marked 80 years since Japan’s defeat at the end of World War Two. Source: AAP, EPA / Andres Martinez

Australia’s ambassador to China was not in attendance.

The last time Australia sent a representative to the 70th anniversary of the war’s end was in 2015, when then-prime minister Tony Abbott chose government minister Michael Ronaldson, Albanese said.

Also questioned on the matter was former Queensland Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. She told Sky News on Wednesday that if it were her, “it’d be a definite N-O”.

“I respect Dan, I respect Bob, but I think they’ve just gone the next level,” she said, before Carr had confirmed he would not be attending the parade.

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

SBS News has contacted Andrews for comment.

Victoria’s government minister, Vicki Ward, defended Andrews’ attendance at the parade, pointing to the importance of diplomatic ties.

“He’s going as a private individual. These are choices that he’s made in a private capacity,” she told reporters.

“It’s important that we maintain good, healthy relationships with those countries that are in our region.

“That we as a government look after the interests of this state, whether it is economic or whether it is social.”

Andrews travelled to China seven times as premier, copping criticism for his final foray in 2023 when he refused to allow the press to accompany him.

The Andrews government had also signed up to China’s controversial Belt and Road Initiative agreement before the federal Coalition’s then-foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, cancelled it.

Australia’s relationship with China has thawed significantly since Labor took power federally.

But Albanese has continued to back the US relationship.