Sir-BigBoyJames
Banned
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2009
- Messages
- 327
- Gender
- Male
- HSC
- 2006
LOL. opposition is called Rudd China's bitch.China conspiracy suggestions 'absurd'
Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the Federal Opposition is playing cheap politics over meetings held between Labor politicians and Chinese-born businesswoman Helen Liu.
Liberal frontbencher Tony Abbott is demanding Prime Minister Kevin Rudd explain a meeting he had with Ms Liu when he was the Opposition spokesman for foreign affairs.
Ms Liu came into the spotlight this week amid media reports that departmental staff had national security concerns relating to her friendship with Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon.
Pressure was put on Mr Fitzgibbon to resign after he initially failed to declare Ms Liu paid for him to travel to China in 2002 and 2005.
He has apologised for accepting the free trips and Mr Rudd has stood by him while saying he is disappointed. There are now two separate investigations are underway into claims that defence staff had spied on Mr Fitzgibbon.
Ms Gillard told ABC 1's Insiders program that the situation is becoming absurd.
"We now have the Opposition carrying on as if there is some huge conspiracy here," she said.
"That if you ever met a Chinese person, that if you've ever discussed an issue in relation to China, that if you've ever spoken a word of Mandarin, then apparently this is all some huge conspiracy against Australia's national interest.
"Well, the reverse is true. China is our second biggest trading partner."
Federal Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner has also lashed out at the Opposition's attitude towards Australia's relationship with China.
He told Sky News that Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull is trying to stir up some old "yellow peril" sentiments.
"To somehow suggest there's something wrong with Kevin Rudd promoting a greater role for China in global economic governance I think is both absurd and its a deliberate attempt by Malcolm Turnbull to play to a latent antagonism towards China and Asia in the Australia populace," he said.
The Prime Minister's office is not denying reports that Mr Rudd met with the Ms Liu in 2004.
An undated photo has also emerged of Ms Liu with former prime minister, John Howard.
Mr Rudd is in London and a spokeswoman has not denied the dinner occurred, telling the ABC that Mr Rudd attends hundreds of functions and meets thousands of people every year.
Helen Liu reportedly has links to the Chinese Government, but Attorney-General Robert McClelland says ASIO has informed him that she poses no threat to Australia's security.
try harder Turnbull. you're behind in the polls.
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