Richard Marles

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles dismissed concerns over Beijing's increased presence in the Pacific and fears China could set up military bases on island ...

Certainly the Pacific Island countries themselves do." "We are in a strategic contest with China. We win in the Pacific and we win that by earning the right to be the natural partner of choice." New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Stream more on politics with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. "The idea the Pacific nations would adhere to a call from Australia to not engage with China is silly," the former Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Islands Affairs said. Months before the Solomon Islands and China security deal was signed, Labor's deputy leader Richard Marles said it was a "good thing" China was providing development assistance to Pacific Island nations and argued Australia "needs to welcome any country willing" to offer it.

With Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese in isolation with COVID on Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Peter Dutton turned their ...

Earlier on Friday, Mr Morrison faced bruising encounters on the issue during a morning media blitz. “Solomon Islands switched allegiances to China three years ago, that’s how long this has been coming. But it’s not in the national interest for prime ministers to just give a running commentary about how decisions are made about these things,” he said. However, Mr Morrison refused to say if he had spoken to Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare since details of the landmark security pact with China were leaked earlier this week, citing national security. They don’t have the strength, frankly, to deal with the issues our country will face into the future.” I apologise for them,” he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has sought to pivot from criticism he was too slow to act against a China-Solomons security pact by attacking Labor's record on ...

Australia knew about a secret draft security pact between China and Solomon Islands weeks before it was leaked, as the federal election continues and ...

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Peter Dutton have hit out at Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles after he argued countries in the Pacific ...

"I find it quite startling that Richard Marles, as the deputy leader of the Labor Party, could have made these statements. "I don't know where he is today. "We are in a strategic contest with China. We win in the Pacific and we win that by earning the right to be the natural partner of choice." "We do know there's a period of uncertainty and we do know that our country needs to stand up for our values, what we believe in, we need to stand with our friends, we need to invest in the defences of this country and Richard Marles has essentially abandoned that principle." Stream more election news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free.

Labor frontbencher Jason Clare has hit back at Scott Morrison after the prime minister tried to deflect blame about China's presence in the Pacific by ...

Here again, it looks obvious the prime minister was too slow to act." As a result, this security agreement has now been signed between China and the Solomon Islands." "If this wasn't a surprise, it just makes it worse. "We knew about this in August. And what did we do? But the fact is, they had the intel and they didn't act." They have become more assertive, there's a competition here in the Pacific," he said.

The Prime Minister has slammed a senior Labor politician for 'chilling' comments about China's activity in the Pacific.

“What I find just galling is the Labor Party were attacking us on this issue, and he who would be Deputy Prime Minister and wants to be Defence Minister in a Labor government, has actually been advocating for what the Chinese government has been seeking to do. “This is about the Chinese government seeking to impose influence in our region,” Scott Morrison told Neil Breen on the deal. The declaration contradicts Anthony Albanese, who has been critical of the Morrison government’s inability to stop a deal with the Solomon Islands.

Senator James Paterson is “very concerned” about Labor's stance on China amid conflicting opinions from its Deputy Leader.

Mr Paterson told Ray Hadley Labor needs to explain why he is “saying one thing in China and a different thing in Australia”. Senator James Paterson is “very concerned” about Labor’s stance on China amid conflicting opinions from its Deputy Leader. Senator exposes Labor Deputy Leader’s ‘concerning’ China opinions