Via The Australian:
Divisions have emerged within the Greens over Chinese government influence in Australia, with Tasmanian leader Cassy O’Connor rejecting claims from within the party of a “racist”, “reds under the bed” mentality.
…The tension has erupted on Twitter, with Brisbane-based Young Greens national co-convener, Mark Clayton, accusing Ms O’Connor of “straight up racist dog-whistling” and “Yellow Peril 2.0 stuff”.
Ms O’Connor told The Australian accusations of racism and xenophobia were “the Chinese government’s talking points to shut down criticism of human rights abuses, of their aggression in the South Pacific and in Africa”.
Quite right. This debate is an excellent development. It’s great to see a Greens leader moving beyond the race-baiting default position that has so paralysed the wider party.
Youthful globalism has a very nasty surprise coming its way from a dictatorial Beijing.
More!
