Here is my response to the Office of Kevin Rudd’s rebuke of my recent article arguing that it is time Labor acknowledge that the Morrison Government China stance was not (only) about domestic political wedging. We all know that before 2017 both political parties were fastened on the China tit, as were large parts of Australia. KR: “You claim Labor resisted efforts to counteract foreign influence in Australia – without evidence – when the Turnbull Government’s legislation actually enjoyed strong bipartisan cooperation and support. :MB: Here’s the evidence: https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2018/02/labor-fight-foreign-influence-bill/, https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2019/10/alp-and-lnp-have-understanding-to-protect-ccp-influence/, https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2017/12/keating-forced-register-chinese-foreign-agent/, https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2019/05/keating-triggers-washington-alarm/KR: “You suggest Labor resisted banning Huawei from 5G rollout – also without evidence – when that also had bipartisan support. It is clear that the Coalition led Australia from under Beijing’s skirts while Labor was slower to recognise that “China had changed”.
