Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has drawn criticism after attending China’s military parade in Beijing on September 3, where he was photographed shaking hands with President Xi Jinping alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Opposition figures condemned the move as “standing with dictators,” accusing Andrews of damaging Australia’s international reputation and democratic values.
Andrews defended his attendance as a private visit, stressing he was not representing any official capacity. He said Victoria’s close economic ties with China make maintaining good relations practical, while reiterating his past condemnation of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and his support for Israel and Australia’s Jewish community.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese distanced the federal government from the event, noting Andrews is no longer an official and that Canberra did not send representatives to politically sensitive occasions.
Former foreign minister and NSW premier Bob Carr was also invited to attend but did not appear at the parade.