In its first few weeks of government Albanese’s Labor have managed to comprehensively bollix nearly everything. Nearly. There’s been one glaring and pleasingly surprising exception: so far – so far – Labor have passed their first China test somewhat impressively.
The surprise is even bigger, given that Albanese appointed notorious China apologist Richard Marles as Minister of Defense. Marles’ pro-China reputation was earned not only by his frequent flyer miles to Beijing, but his clearing of his own speeches with the Chinese embassy – speeches in which he extolled the virtues of China’s expansion in the Pacific.
So, when Marles condemned last week’s aggressive actions, where a Chinese jet deliberately buzzed an Australian plane, firing flares and releasing aluminium chaff, it was at least a propitious start. Albanese’s hints at reviewing the egregious Port of Darwin lease to a Chinese state company is even more promising.
But will it last? Or will his upcoming meeting with Jacinda Ardern see some of New Zealand Labour’s China flakiness rub off?
Because our trans-Tasman allies haven’t exactly been the most reliable partners in facing down the dragon.
Speaking in April 2021, New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta likened her country’s relationship with China to a harmonious connection between two mythical creatures.
But then the dragon bit the taniwha on its ample arse. It was time for New Zealand to feel the wrath of China’s “wolf warriors”, who warned the upstart country not to “squander” its reputation in Beijing.
In other words, the country’s $19 billion trade relationship with China is at risk. Suffice to say Dragon no longer tickles Taniwha’s tummy, instead threatening to bite him on the backside. I hate to say it, Ms Mahuta, but Kangaroo did warn his friend Taniwha repeatedly that Dragon was up to no good.
This blinkered approach was due not just to naivety and incompetence, but also opportunistic sycophancy.
When Australia was being blatantly bullied by China for daring to question the origins of the Covid pandemic, what did the Ardern government do? Witter about “showing respect”, just like New Zealand. Going further, Mahuta openly criticised the expansion of the Five Eyes alliance. China’s state-run media couldn’t have asked for more.
No one bears greater responsibility for NZ’s craven kowtowing to China than Jacinda Ardern, the former world socialist youth leader.
“The New Zealand Labour leader’s preference for cosying up to China’s communist rulers comes at a time when the consensus among the world’s leading democracies is that Beijing poses the greatest threat to their long-term well-being and prosperity,” wrote the UK Telegraph’s chief foreign affairs columnist Con Coughlin.
As for what Ardern has done for the Pacific, she saw the region primarily as just another backdrop to grandstand and make provincial cheap shots. Who could forget her sanctimonious declaration in 2019 at the Pacific Islands Forum that “Australia has to answer to the Pacific” for its climate change policies?
What China, the world’s single largest carbon emitter, had to say to the Pacific, Ardern didn’t dare whisper.
That’s not to say our diplomatic efforts in the Pacific have been without fault, but at least Australia has been consistent in resisting and calling out Beijing’s hegemony. The same cannot be said of Ardern, Mahuta and O’Connor, whose contributions to regional security are worthy of a comedy stage show. The Three Amigos of Aotearoa, perhaps?
To really add insult to injury, Ardern constantly attacks Australia for having the temerity to send NZ’s criminals back, if they come here to be career criminals.
Ardern has indicated the removal of Kiwi criminals, which she strongly objects to, will be “front and centre” at talks today with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This is an example of the stark difference between what one wants and what one needs to hear. I am reminded of The Spectator columnist Rod Liddle, who was amused by British activists protesting the deportations of foreign-born residents who committed serious offences. “If I were in charge of the deportation program, it would be like the Berlin airlift,” he wrote. “One plane leaving every 30 seconds.”
The Australian
But if Ardern and Co are spineless sycophants when it comes to bullies and criminals, some of Australia’s ruling elites aren’t much better. Just this week, the High Court cleared the way for ISIS jihadis whose passports had been cancelled to get free access to Australia.
I’m sure that’ll end well.