Vic: Brumby attacks opposition assault on China-Aust relations

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2009
Vic: Brumby attacks opposition assault on China-Aust relations

MELBOURNE, April 1 AAP - Victorian Premier John Brumby has hit out at opposition politicians
for damaging the relationship between Australia and China.

During parliamentary question time on Wednesday, Mr Brumby used a government question
to promote the state's relationship with China, saying it would be one of the only countries
to record growth during the difficult economic times.

"China is so important to our economic relationship, a great friend of Victoria and
Australia," he told parliament.

"I am concerned at some of the recent public debate which has been designed to attack
that relationship and to imperil investment and jobs in Victoria and Australia."

Mr Brumby said China was Victoria's largest single trading partner, with two-way trade
worth just under $12 billion a year.

State opposition leader Ted Baillieu said that while Australia and China have a good
relationship, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has not been "transparent" in his dealings with
Beijing.

"The important thing for Kevin Rudd and his ministers is to be transparent in their
relationships," Mr Baillieu told reporters.

"I think (federal opposition leader) Malcolm Turnbull has made the same point. I'll
leave foreign affairs in a deeper context to our federal colleagues."

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KEYWORD: CHINA AUST BRUMBY

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