Kelly’s cowards lose their leader. From Paul Kelly today:
For Australia, there will be no return to the China relationship of the Howard era. China has become more successful, assertive and paranoid. Anyone who thought a few years ago that Australia might distance itself from the US alliance to better manage China was profoundly mistaken. China is proving that it is not a safe or reliable partner. This legacy will last years.
It means Morrison will reinforce his two strategic messages — that the US alliance is more important than ever and that Australia’s approach to China must flow through deeper regional engagement with Japan, India, Indonesia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Pacific Islands nations.
It is true that nobody on the Australian side has any magic formula or initiative on how to break this relationship spiral. On three decisive recent issues — foreign interference laws, banning Huawei from the 5G network and campaigning for the inquiry into the COVID-19 origins — Australia hurt China on the global stage. The message from the Huawei decision was stark — we don’t trust China in our communication systems — and other Western nations should not trust China, either.
“Anyone who thought…”. That is, Paul Kelly thought Australia would throw away its security and democracy for a few yuan more.
Our Paul adds a few caveats to disguise his rollover but a rollover it is. Thank Christ. This will be coming directly from his reading of ScoMo and Cabinet and the realisation that he is on the outer. Which is great news for Australia.
One useful idiot down, the ABC and Guardian to go.
