Conflict sale ‘hypocritical’
Senator slams Labor apathy
A QUEENSLAND senator has labelled the federal govenrment’s response to the possible sale of Papua New Guinea’s Conflict Islands, about 1000km from Cairns, to the Chinese government as “hypocritical” and is demanding it to act.
The Labor government has so far shrugged off concerns about the islands’ potential new owners, with a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade saying it’s not the federal government’s issue.
However, Queensland Senator and shadow minister for Northern Australia Susan McDonald is demanding a better response from the government.
“Only months ago, Labor told us that growing foreign influence in the Pacific was a major problem,” Sen McDonald said.
“When someone comes forward worried that their islands, 1000km off Cairns, could be bought by a foreign power, you would think that would set off alarm bells … and garner appropriate response.
“Instead, all we’ve got is shifting of responsibility. This is highly concerning to Northern Australian stakeholders.
“Labor should be telling the Australian public what action is being taken to monitor and counter foreign influence in the region to ensure Pacific security.”
Speaking to the Guardian Australia in September, however, the Islands’ owner, Ian Gowrie-Smith, played down concerns he would sell to the Chinese government and clarified that his previous comments on the matter related to future sales of the archipelagic property.
“I don’t have any intention of selling these islands to the CCP,” Mr Gowrie-Smith said.
“The point that’s been lost is that whomever I might sell it to may in turn decide to sell at some future point … to a foreign nation that may or may not be friendly.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trading has been contacted for further comment.