SENATOR THE HONOURABLE CONCETTA FIERRAVANTI-WELLS Page | 2 Senator the Honourable Concetta Fierravanti-Wells Liberal Senator for New South Wales January 2020 Following my resignation as Minister for International Development and the Pacific on 21 August 2018, I have continued to focus on a wide range of issues including those of national importance. I am sure you find this booklet to be informative. In my maiden speech to the Senate on 14 June 2005, I set out my values and beliefs. Since that time, I have undertaken my service to the people of New South Wales and Australia in accordance with those values and beliefs. In my experience, Australians respect core values and beliefs. They also expect their politicians to abide by a code of conduct after they have been selected to represent their electorate. There is an expectation that when politicians go to Canberra or when they engage as representatives of their electors, they abide by professed values and beliefs rather than acquiescing to ‘groupthink’. In my political career, I have sought to be honest and forthright, even when that has been at personal cost to advancement and promotion. ‘Team player’ is sometimes coined as a euphemism for ‘groupthink’ to control the direction of the herd, or else! Too often I have witnessed colleagues parade their credentials but when the going gets tough, they falter or acquiesce after ‘the fire - side chat’. Actions speak louder than words. As Minister for International Development and the Pacific, I was prepared to call out the skulduggery of the Communist regime in Beijing and its dealings, especially in the Pacific. Those warnings were not heeded, but they were prescient. I was proven correct on China; my words, and actions fully vindicated — the paradigm has shifted. In relation to same-sex marriage, because of my Catholicism, I was 1 of 12 senators to oppose the bill. Indeed, I was the only Minister in the Turnbull Government to vote against the legislation. I am proudly conservative and have sought to stand up for those values and beliefs that define me. I know that my views are those of the silent majority. Rest assured I will continue to represent you in my continued service as a Senator for New South Wales. Please do not hesitate to contact me on matters contained herein or on other issues of interest to you. You will find reference material referred to herein including speeches, transcripts and media interviews, on my website at https://www.senatorcfw.com.au/ Can I take the opportunity to wish you and your loved ones all the very best for 2021. Kind regards, Page | 2 Senator the Honourable Concetta Fierravanti-Wells Liberal Senator for New South Wales January 2020 Following my resignation as Minister for International Development and the Pacific on 21 August 2018, I have continued to focus on a wide range of issues including those of national importance. I am sure you find this booklet to be informative. In my maiden speech to the Senate on 14 June 2005, I set out my values and beliefs. Since that time, I have undertaken my service to the people of New South Wales and Australia in accordance with those values and beliefs. In my experience, Australians respect core values and beliefs. They also expect their politicians to abide by a code of conduct after they have been selected to represent their electorate. There is an expectation that when politicians go to Canberra or when they engage as representatives of their electors, they abide by professed values and beliefs rather than acquiescing to ‘groupthink’. In my political career, I have sought to be honest and forthright, even when that has been at personal cost to advancement and promotion. ‘Team player’ is sometimes coined as a euphemism for ‘groupthink’ to control the direction of the herd, or else! Too often I have witnessed colleagues parade their credentials but when the going gets tough, they falter or acquiesce after ‘the fire - side chat’. Actions speak louder than words. As Minister for International Development and the Pacific, I was prepared to call out the skulduggery of the Communist regime in Beijing and its dealings, especially in the Pacific. Those warnings were not heeded, but they were prescient. I was proven correct on China; my words, and actions fully vindicated — the paradigm has shifted. In relation to same-sex marriage, because of my Catholicism, I was 1 of 12 senators to oppose the bill. Indeed, I was the only Minister in the Turnbull Government to vote against the legislation. I am proudly conservative and have sought to stand up for those values and beliefs that define me. I know that my views are those of the silent majority. Rest assured I will continue to represent you in my continued service as a Senator for New South Wales. Please do not hesitate to contact me on matters contained herein or on other issues of interest to you. You will find reference material referred to herein including speeches, transcripts and media interviews, on my website at https://www.senatorcfw.com.au/ Can I take the opportunity to wish you and your loved ones all the very best for 2021. Kind regards, 31 January 2020 Following my resignation as Minister for International Development and the Pacific on 21 August 2018, I have continued to focus on a wide range of issues including those of national importance. I am sure you will find this booklet to be informative. In my maiden speech to the Senate on 14 June 2005, I set out my values and beliefs. Since that time, I have undertaken my service to the people of New South Wales and Australia in accordance with those values and beliefs. In my experience, Australians respect core values and beliefs. They also expect their politicians to abide by a code of conduct after they have been selected to represent their electorate. There is an expectation that when politicians go to Canberra or when they engage as representatives of their electors, they abide by professed values and beliefs rather than acquiescing to ‘groupthink’. In my political career, I have sought to be honest and forthright, even when that has been at personal cost to advancement and promotion. ‘Team player’ is sometimes coined as a euphemism for ‘groupthink’ to control the direction of the herd, or else! Too often I have witnessed colleagues parade their credentials but when the going gets tough, they falter or acquiesce after ‘the fire-side chat’. Actions speak louder than words. As Minister for International Development and the Pacific, I was prepared to call out the skulduggery of the Communist regime in Beijing and its dealings, especially in the Pacific. Those warnings were not heeded, but they were prescient. I was proven correct on China; my words, and actions fully vindicated—the paradigm has shifted. In relation to same-sex marriage, because of my faith, I was 1 of 12 senators to oppose the bill. Indeed, I was the only Liberal Minister in the Turnbull Government to vote against the legislation. I am proudly conservative and have sought to stand up for the values and beliefs that define me. I know that my views are those of the silent majority. Rest assured I will continue to represent you in my continued service as a Senator for New South Wales. Please do not hesitate to contact me on matters contained herein or on other issues of interest to you. You will find reference material referred to herein including speeches, transcripts and media interviews, on my website at https://www.senatorcfw.com.au/ Can I take the opportunity to wish you and your loved ones all the very best for 2021. Kind regards, CONTENTS 1. No more business as usual with the Communist regime in China .................. 5 1.1 Prescient warnings ignored – tip of the spear! ....................................................... 5 1.2 Time to decouple from China ................................................................................. 12 1.3 Too many trade eggs in the China basket .............................................................. 16 1.4 Reducing our dependency on China - national sovereignty and national interest ... 17 1.4.1 Senate speech on 12 May 2020 .................................................................. 17 1.4.2 Senate speech on 10 June 2020 ................................................................. 19 1.4.3 Senate speech on 16 June 2020 ................................................................. 20 1.4.4 Senate speech on 1 September 2020 ......................................................... 22 1.5 Foreign Relations legislation .................................................................................. 24 1.6 Port of Darwin ........................................................................................................ 25 1.7 Foreign interference and foreign influence ............................................................. 28 1.8 Tik Tok and ByteDance – not just ‘cutesy’ social media platforms ........................ 28 1.9 So what is our China strategy now? ...................................................................... 29 2. Regional security – the Pacific ......................................................................... 30 2.1 The Pacific is our neighbourhood ........................................................................... 30 2.2 China’s “aid” in the Pacific ..................................................................................... 30 2.3 Building resilience is one of the highest priorities in the Pacific ............................ 31 2.4 Pacific Step-up ....................................................................................................... 32 2.5 Importance of investment in Pacific countries ....................................................... 34 2.6 Continuing interest and engagement on Pacific matters ....................................... 34 3. Issues of national importance........................................................................... 35 3.1 ASIO warning to politicians about foreign interference and influence ................... 35 3.2 Magnitsky laws and sanctions regime ................................................................... 37 3.3 National Integrity Commission ............................................................................... 38 3.4 Extremism in Australia ............................................................................................ 38 3.5 Protection of children on-line ................................................................................. 40 3.6 Community standards not being reflected in sentencing ....................................... 41 3.7 Trolling .................................................................................................................... 41 4. Freedom of speech, religion, thought and conscience ................................... 42 4.1 Same-sex marriage debate ................................................................................... 42 4.2 The Left’s assault on religious freedom .................................................................. 44 4.3 The 2019 election – Scott Morrison’s promise of protection of religious freedom ... 47 4.4 Religious freedom, not just protection against religious discrimination ................. 47 4.5 No bill is better than a flawed bill ........................................................................... 50 CONTENTS 5. Cardinal George Pell, AC .................................................................................. 51 6. Caring for our older Australians ........................................................................ 58 6.1 My personal journey ............................................................................................... 58 6.2 The aged care sector is on the brink of collapse ................................................... 59 6.3 My submission to the Royal Commission .............................................................. 59 7. Climate change and bushfires .......................................................................... 63 7.1 There has always been ‘climate change’ ................................................................ 63 7.2 87% of bushfires are man-made ............................................................................ 63 7.3 CO2 is not a pollutant – it’s a clean, odourless, colourless gas vital for life on earth ... 66 8. Our cultural diversity ......................................................................................... 67 8.1 One national broadcaster ....................................................................................... 67 8.2 Continuing my engagement ................................................................................... 68 9. Patron seats....................................................................................................... 69 9.1 The Illawarra ........................................................................................................... 69 9.2 South Western Sydney ........................................................................................... 72 9.3 Other Patron seats .................................................................................................. 74 10. Parliamentary and Committee work ............................................................... 75 10.1 Senate Standing Committee on the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation ................. 75 10.2 Senate Privileges Committee ................................................................................. 81 CONTACT DETAILS Electorate Office Wollongong South Western Sydney Office Parliament House Suite 1, Level 2 6-8 Regent Street Wollongong NSW 2500 PO Box 886 Wollongong NSW 2520 Telephone: (02) 4226 1700 Fax: (02) 4226 1733 Suite 1, Level 1 360-364 The Horsley Drive Fairfield NSW 2165 Telephone: 1300 735 268 Email: senator.fierravanti-wells@aph.gov.au The Senate Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 3098 Fax: (02) 6277 5908 Reference material referred to in this publication can be found on my website https://www.senatorcfw.com.au/ 1. NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL WITH THE COMMUNIST REGIME IN CHINA 1.1 Prescient warnings ignored – tip of the spear! 5 From January 2016 until I resigned in August 2018, I was Minister for International Development and the Pacific. During this time, I travelled extensively, including making about 35 trips to the Pacific. I quickly became aware of Communist China’s activities. As Minister, I ensured that briefings and warnings on a range of issues were documented and appropriately provided (including the US Embassy!). I was gratified to read the declassified document titled US Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific released 12 January 2021. In January 2018, I publicly chose to draw attention to China’s activities in the Pacific. At the time, the known debt in the Pacific was about $5.5 billion of which $1.5 billion was to China with debt to gross domestic product ratios of up to 90% in some Pacific Island countries. Following this, an international debate ensued about “debt-trap diplomacy”. Debt-trap diplomacy refers to the strategy used by totalitarian regimes to “lure or trap” developing or underdeveloped countries to borrow money to be used mainly for infrastructure projects. We often do not know terms of the loans. They are most likely on a “debt for equity” basis so when a country cannot repay the loan, the lender takes the equity and takes ownership of the asset. The international debate focused not only on debt owed by Pacific nations to China, but more generally, about China’s debt- trap diplomacy in other parts of the world including Sri Lanka (Port of Hambantota) and Djibouti (Port of Djibouti). Following my public warnings in January 2018 about China’s activities, most especially in the Pacific, I was ‘hung out to dry’. I received no support from those responsible in government for our foreign and defence policies. In an article in The Australian on 10 January 2018, I publicly outlined concerns, excerpts of which follow. Despite the international debate about debt-trap diplomacy that my comments generated, the clear strategy by those driving our foreign and defence policies was to avoid any criticism of China. In the ensuing months, I continued to highlight those concerns and our dealings with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Senator Fierravanti-Wells told The Australian that China’s influence was “clearly growing” and the country’s development assistance across the South Pacific was resulting in “white elephants”. “You’ve got the Pacific full of these useless buildings which nobody maintains, which are basically white elephants ... I’ve gone to islands and you’ll be driving along on some back road and all of a sudden you see this Chinese road crew building a road to nowhere and you think ‘hmm, what’s all that about’,” she said. Senator Fierravanti-Wells said that on her 24 visits to the Pacific as Minister for International Development and the Pacific, she had come across nations concerned about the use of foreign workers in aid projects and countries struggling to maintain donated facilities. “Over my visits, I have come across a number of non-productive infrastructure where no provision is made for maintenance and therefore the buildings are not used to full capacity,” she said. Senator Fierravanti-Wells said China’s loans to countries in the region often had less than favourable terms, the impact of which was increasingly being exposed in loan applications to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank — two institutions scaling up lending to the region. She said that while the terms of loans from the World Bank and the ADB were clearly set out, “we don’t know what the consequences are when (nations) have to pay back some of these Chinese loans”. Ref: TURNBULL MINISTER IGNITES BEIJING TENSIONS Attack on China over Pacific aid EXCLUSIVE PRIMROSE RIORDAN Malcolm Turnbull’s International Development Minister has launched an extraordinary attack on China, accusing it of lending funds to Pacific nations on un- favourable terms and construct- ing “useless buildings” and “roads to nowhere” in the region. Senator Concetta Fierravanti- Wells said there was no doubt China had been “duchessing” pol- iticians in the Pacific, but Beijing’s activities were being met with growing resentment among some island communities. China transferred at least $US1.8 billion ($2.3bn) in aid to South Pacific nations from 2006 to 2016, including through con- cessional loans, according to a Lowy Institute project mapping Chinese development assistance to the region. Senator Fierravanti-Wells told The Australian that China’s influ- ence was “clearly growing” and the country’s development assist- ance across the South Pacific was resulting in “white elephants”. “You’ve got the Pacific full of these useless buildings which no- body maintains, which are basi- cally white elephants ... I’ve gone to islands and you’ll be driving along on some back road and all of a sudden you see this Chinese road crew building a road to no- where and you think ‘hmm, what’s all that about’,” she said. Pacific political leaders have sometimes directly benefited from projects. In 2015 as part of a $US1.5 million donation of agri- cultural equipment from the Chi- nese government, Cook Islands’ 24 MPs each received a free quad bike for their personal use. The minister’s comments fol- low a brawl with China over for- eign interference in Australia, during which Beijing rebuked Mr Turnbull and lodged an official complaint. The government has also come under attack from Labor, which claims the inad- equacy of the Coalition’s Pacific policy has established a national security “blind spot”. Senator Fierravanti-Wells said that on her 24 visits to the Pacific as Minister for International De- velopment and the Pacific, she had come across nations con- cerned about the use of foreign workers in aid projects and coun- tries struggling to maintain donated facilities. “Over my visits, I have come across a number of non-productive infrastructure where no provision is made for maintenance and therefore the buildings are not used to full capacity,” she said. Senator Fierravanti-Wells said China’s loans to countries in the region often had less than favour- able terms, the impact of which was increasingly being exposed in loan applications to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank — two institutions scaling up lending to the region. She said that while the terms of loans from the World Bank and the ADB were clearly set out, “we don’t know what the consequences are when (nations) have to pay back some of these Chinese loans”. Lowy Institute Pacific islands program director Jonathan Pryke said there was “some legitimacy” to the minister’s point. “Any of these projects (and there are quite a few) that have ‘sport’ or ‘confer- Continued on Page 4 Ref: 896914846 Brief: DPLAUTO2 The Australian Wednesday 10/1/2018 Page: 1 Section: General News Region: Australia Circulation: 94,448 Type: National Size: 449.00 sq.cms. Frequency: MTWTF Page 1 of 2 Following is an excerpt from an interview on 2GB with Luke Grant on the Mike McLaren program on 31 August 2018. On 5 October 2018, the following op-ed by me was published in The Australian (illustration by Eric Lobbecke). “The position has been excluded from the ministry in Morrison’s government, downgraded to an assistant ministerial role. At a time when China is ramping up its debt-trap diplomacy in the Pacific to spread influence and secure strategic gains, the move isn’t a wise one. “I am concerned that the downgrading of the portfolio to a parliamentary secretary role does send the wrong message,” says Fierravanti-Wells. “While it’s important to engage internationally, this is our neighborhood, this is our backyard. It’s vitally important that it be given priority in our region. There is an expectation from our allies that it receives the highest attention.” To ensure China doesn’t encroach on our standing in the region, Fierravanti-Wells wants more of the foreign aid budget to be directed to the Pacific. “We spend about $4 billion in overseas development assistance, of which about $1.3 billion goes to the Pacific. There should be more spent in the Pacific. A greater share.” BELLICOSE CHINA IS POPPING UP EVERYWHERE We need to spend more time and much more money with our Pacific neighbours CONCETTA FIERRAVANTI-WELLS In January I made frank and forthright comments raising con- cerns about communist China’s actions in the Pacific. My com- ments have been vindicated. Months on, and many revela- tions later, thanks to the work of a few dedicated journalists and commentators, the extent of China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” and the strategic importance of the Pacific to Australia have morphed into recent headlines in The Australian such as “Top threat now lies in the Pacific” (22/9) and yesterday’s “US warns on China’s debt-trap diplomacy”. After intense behind-the- scenes pressure, the Pacific was elevated to one of five priorities in our recent foreign policy white paper. Australia’s defence white paper also says the stability and security of our region is second only to the defence of Australia. During my many visits to the Pacific when I was minister for international development and the Pacific, I was reminded of its strategic importance. History records Australia and its allies fought in theatres such as Guadal- canal, the Coral Sea and Kokoda. Today, the sovereign threat is less confrontational but the debt- ine concern. Investment in Pacific nations is driven by the expanding demands and priorities of their people; however, it is vital that sustainable growth remains the dominant fiscal strategy. In this regard, Australia has learned its own lesson dealing with the fiscal vandalism of past governments. In recent years, borrowing by Pacific nations from China has escalated. Of concern is that in- debted countries could be forced to forfeit assets to China to repay loans: the port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka is a case in point. Recently, Tongan Prime Min- ister Akilisi Pohiva said: “We don’t want the Chinese govern- ment to take assets used as collateral for the loan ... if we fail to pay, the Chinese may come and take our assets, which are our buildings, and that is why the only option is to sign a submission ask- ing the Chinese government to forgive our debts.” Pacific countries need to use limited government reserves to meet their loan commitments to avoid defaulting. Domestic spending and important social programs are jeopardised. Conse- quently, the internal stability of good international citizen. The recently reported conduct by Beijing’s envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum demonstrates the pressure that the communist re- gime is placing on Pacific Islands countries to back its agenda. Papua New Guinea’s invi- tation to Pacific countries to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit and meet Chinese President Xi Jinping is a clear demonstration that Port Moresby is being used as a con- duit for Beijing’s outreach into the Pacific. This should be of serious concern to us. from countries such as Australia. In short, Australian taxpayers effectively will be subsidising re- payment of loans to China. So what, then, is our China strategy? China is not a democracy. It is a communist country. Beijing ignores international law of the sea in the South China Sea. In its bellicose illegal actions in the South China Sea, China has not demonstrated the credentials of a Australia spends about $4 bil- lion a year on overseas develop- ment aid, about $1.3bn of this in the Pacific. We should be spend- ing a greater proportion of it on our Pacific neighbours. Brief: DPLAUTO2 The Australian Friday 5/10/2018 Page: 14 Section: General News Region: Australia Circulation: 94,448 Type: National Size: 606.00 sq.cms. Frequency: MTWTF Page 1 of 2 BELLICOSE CHINA IS POPPING UP EVERYWHERE We need to spend more time and much more money with our Pacific neighbours CONCETTA FIERRAVANTI-WELLS In January I made frank and forthright comments raising con- cerns about communist China’s actions in the Pacific. My com- ments have been vindicated. Months on, and many revela- tions later, thanks to the work of a few dedicated journalists and commentators, the extent of China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” and the strategic importance of the Pacific to Australia have morphed into recent headlines in The Australian such as “Top threat now lies in the Pacific” (22/9) and yesterday’s “US warns on China’s debt-trap diplomacy”. After intense behind-the- scenes pressure, the Pacific was elevated to one of five priorities in our recent foreign policy white paper. Australia’s defence white paper also says the stability and security of our region is second only to the defence of Australia. During my many visits to the Pacific when I was minister for international development and the Pacific, I was reminded of its strategic importance. History records Australia and its allies fought in theatres such as Guadal- canal, the Coral Sea and Kokoda. Today, the sovereign threat is less confrontational but the debt- ine concern. Investment in Pacific nations is driven by the expanding demands and priorities of their people; however, it is vital that sustainable growth remains the dominant fiscal strategy. In this regard, Australia has learned its own lesson dealing with the fiscal vandalism of past governments. In recent years, borrowing by Pacific nations from China has escalated. Of concern is that in- debted countries could be forced to forfeit assets to China to repay loans: the port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka is a case in point. Recently, Tongan Prime Min- ister Akilisi Pohiva said: “We don’t want the Chinese govern- ment to take assets used as collateral for the loan ... if we fail to pay, the Chinese may come and take our assets, which are our buildings, and that is why the only option is to sign a submission ask- ing the Chinese government to forgive our debts.” Pacific countries need to use limited government reserves to meet their loan commitments to avoid defaulting. Domestic spending and important social programs are jeopardised. Conse- quently, the internal stability of good international citizen. The recently reported conduct by Beijing’s envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum demonstrates the pressure that the communist re- gime is placing on Pacific Islands countries to back its agenda. Papua New Guinea’s invi- tation to Pacific countries to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit and meet Chinese President Xi Jinping is a clear demonstration that Port Moresby is being used as a con- duit for Beijing’s outreach into the Pacific. This should be of serious concern to us. from countries such as Australia. In short, Australian taxpayers effectively will be subsidising re- payment of loans to China. So what, then, is our China strategy? China is not a democracy. It is a communist country. Beijing ignores international law of the sea in the South China Sea. In its bellicose illegal actions in the South China Sea, China has not demonstrated the credentials of a Australia spends about $4 bil- lion a year on overseas develop- ment aid, about $1.3bn of this in the Pacific. We should be spend- ing a greater proportion of it on our Pacific neighbours. Brief: DPLAUTO2 The Australian Friday 5/10/2018 Page: 14 Section: General News Region: Australia Circulation: 94,448 Type: National Size: 606.00 sq.cms. Frequency: MTWTF Page 1 of 2 BELLICOSE CHINA IS POPPING U We need to spend more time and much more money with our Pacific neighbours CONCETTA FIERRAVANTI-WELLS In January I made frank and forthright comments raising con- cerns about communist China’s actions in the Pacific. My com- ments have been vindicated. Months on, and many revela- tions later, thanks to the work of a few dedicated journalists and commentators, the extent of China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” and the strategic importance of the Pacific to Australia have morphed into recent headlines in The Australian such as “Top threat now lies in the Pacific” (22/9) and yesterday’s “US warns on China’s debt-trap diplomacy”. After intense behind-the- scenes pressure, the Pacific was elevated to one of five priorities in our recent foreign policy white paper. Australia’s defence white paper also says the stability and security of our region is second only to the defence of Australia. During my many visits to the Pacific when I was minister for international development and the Pacific, I was reminded of its strategic importance. History records Australia and its allies fought in theatres such as Guadal- canal, the Coral Sea and Kokoda. Today, the sovereign threat is less confrontational but the debt- trap diplomacy just as insidious. The high debt to gross dom- ine concern. Investment in Pacific nations is driven by the expanding demands and priorities of their people; however, it is vital that sustainable growth remains the dominant fiscal strategy. In this regard, Australia has learned its own lesson dealing with the fiscal vandalism of past governments. In recent years, borrowing by Pacific nations from China has escalated. Of concern is that in- debted countries could be forced to forfeit assets to China to repay loans: the port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka is a case in point. Recently, Tongan Prime Min- ister Akilisi Pohiva said: “We don’t want the Chinese govern- ment to take assets used as collateral for the loan ... if we fail to pay, the Chinese may come and take our assets, which are our buildings, and that is why the only option is to sign a submission ask- ing the Chinese government to forgive our debts.” Pacific countries need to use limited government reserves to meet their loan commitments to avoid defaulting. Domestic spending and important social programs are jeopardised. Conse- quently, the internal stability of these countries may be affected good internation The recently by Beijing’s env Islands Forum pressure that th gime is placing countries to bac Papua New tation to Paci attend the Asia- Co-operation s Chinese Preside clear demonstr Moresby is bein duit for Beijing’s Pacific. This sho concern to us. from countries In short, Aust effectively will payment of loan So what, th strategy? China is not a communist ignores interna sea in the South bellicose illega South China Se demonstrated th Australia spe lion a year on o ment aid, abou the Pacific. We ing a greater pr our Pacific neigh As minister, The Australian Friday 5/10/2018 Page: 14 Section: General News Region: Australia Circulation: 94,448 Type: National Size: 606.00 sq.cms. Frequency: MTWTF BELLICOSE CHINA IS POPPING UP EVERYWHERE We need to spend more time and much more money with our Pacific neighbours CONCETTA FIERRAVANTI-WELLS In January I made frank and forthright comments raising con- cerns about communist China’s actions in the Pacific. My com- ments have been vindicated. Months on, and many revela- tions later, thanks to the work of a few dedicated journalists and commentators, the extent of China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” and the strategic importance of the Pacific to Australia have morphed into recent headlines in The Australian such as “Top threat now lies in the Pacific” (22/9) and yesterday’s “US warns on China’s debt-trap diplomacy”. After intense behind-the- scenes pressure, the Pacific was elevated to one of five priorities in our recent foreign policy white paper. Australia’s defence white paper also says the stability and security of our region is second only to the defence of Australia. During my many visits to the Pacific when I was minister for international development and the Pacific, I was reminded of its strategic importance. History records Australia and its allies fought in theatres such as Guadal- canal, the Coral Sea and Kokoda. Today, the sovereign threat is less confrontational but the debt- trap diplomacy just as insidious. The high debt to gross dom- ine concern. Investment in Pacific nations is driven by the expanding demands and priorities of their people; however, it is vital that sustainable growth remains the dominant fiscal strategy. In this regard, Australia has learned its own lesson dealing with the fiscal vandalism of past governments. In recent years, borrowing by Pacific nations from China has escalated. Of concern is that in- debted countries could be forced to forfeit assets to China to repay loans: the port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka is a case in point. Recently, Tongan Prime Min- ister Akilisi Pohiva said: “We don’t want the Chinese govern- ment to take assets used as collateral for the loan ... if we fail to pay, the Chinese may come and take our assets, which are our buildings, and that is why the only option is to sign a submission ask- ing the Chinese government to forgive our debts.” Pacific countries need to use limited government reserves to meet their loan commitments to avoid defaulting. Domestic spending and important social programs are jeopardised. Conse- quently, the internal stability of these countries may be affected good international citizen. The recently reported conduct by Beijing’s envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum demonstrates the pressure that the communist re- gime is placing on Pacific Islands countries to back its agenda. Papua New Guinea’s invi- tation to Pacific countries to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit and meet Chinese President Xi Jinping is a clear demonstration that Port Moresby is being used as a con- duit for Beijing’s outreach into the Pacific. This should be of serious concern to us. from countries such as Australia. In short, Australian taxpayers effectively will be subsidising re- payment of loans to China. So what, then, is our China strategy? China is not a democracy. It is a communist country. Beijing ignores international law of the sea in the South China Sea. In its bellicose illegal actions in the South China Sea, China has not demonstrated the credentials of a Australia spends about $4 bil- lion a year on overseas develop- ment aid, about $1.3bn of this in the Pacific. We should be spend- ing a greater proportion of it on our Pacific neighbours. As minister, I strongly advo- Brief: DPLAUTO2 The Australian Friday 5/10/2018 Page: 14 Section: General News Region: Australia Circulation: 94,448 Type: National Size: 606.00 sq.cms. Frequency: MTWTF Page 1 of 2 In January I made frank and forthright comments raising concerns about communist China’s actions in the Pacific. My comments have been vindicated. Months on, and many revelations later, thanks to the work of a few dedicated journalists and commentators, the extent of China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” and the strategic importance of the Pacific to Australia have morphed into recent headlines in The Australian such as “Top threat now lies in the Pacific” (22/9) and yesterday’s “US warns on China’s debt-trap diplomacy”. After intense behind-the-scenes pressure, the Pacific was elevated to one of five priorities in our recent foreign policy white paper. Australia’s defence white paper also says the stability and security of our region is second only to the defence of Australia. During my many visits to the Pacific when I was minister for international development and the Pacific, I was reminded of its strategic importance. History records Australia and its allies fought in theatres such as Guadalcanal, the Coral Sea and Kokoda. Today, the sovereign threat is less confrontational but the debt-trap diplomacy just as insidious. The high debt to gross domestic product ratio of various Pacific island countries is of genuine concern. Investment in Pacific nations is driven by the expanding demands and priorities of their people; however, it is vital that sustainable growth remains the dominant fiscal strategy. In this regard, Australia has learned its own lesson dealing with the fiscal vandalism of past governments. In recent years, borrowing by Pacific nations from China has escalated. Of concern is that indebted countries could be forced to forfeit assets to China to repay loans: the port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka is a case in point. p this includes replacing Pacific patrol boats, increasing maritime and air surveillance, redeveloping naval facilities such as that on Manus Island and supporting the development of Black Rock in Fiji as a regional humanitarian hub. It is time we had a clear-cut China strategy that confronted the realities of the growing threats in our region. Our allies expect nothing less. Beijing needs to heed the ad- vice of Sun Tzu in The Art of War (in English parlance): “Do not pick a fight that you cannot win.” In other words, Beijing, just get on with business and fair trade, thereby improving your people’s wellbeing and, above all, behave like a good international citizen. Concetta Fierravanti-Wells is a senator for NSW and former minister for international development and the Pacific. Port Moresby is being used as a conduit for Beijing’s outreach Brief: DPLAUTO2 The Australian Friday 5/10/2018 Page: 14 Section: General News Region: Australia Circulation: 94,448 Type: National Size: 606.00 sq.cms. Frequency: MTWTF Page 2 of 2 6 The Chinese Government was not happy. In a rare act, the Chinese Embassy in Canberra issued a statement condemning my comments on 5 October 2018. Below is the first paragraph of that statement! Recently, Tongan Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva said: “We don’t want the Chinese government to take assets used as collateral for the loan ... if we fail to pay, the Chinese may come and take our assets, which are our buildings, and that is why the only option is to sign a submission asking the Chinese government to forgive our debts.” Pacific countries need to use limited government reserves to meet their loan commitments to avoid defaulting. Domestic spending