Image: GettyAustralia's foreign minister has defended her decision to tear up Victoria's Belt and Road agreement with China, saying she doesn't expect retaliation from Beijing. The Morrison government in December granted itself the ability to torpedo deals between individual states and foreign powers under the Foreign Relations Act. Senator Payne said four Victorian agreements would be cancelled, two of which are related to the Belt and Road deal for infrastructure investment. Areas of co-operation included increasing participation of Chinese companies in Victoria's infrastructure program and promoting co-operation of Victorian businesses in China. A state government spokeswoman told AAP the Foreign Relations Act was a matter for the Commonwealth.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 22, 2021 01:18 UTC