Daniel Andrews defends his secret trade trip to China and offers a surprising excuse why he didn’t invite journalists
- Vic Premier wouldn’t let journalists get to him
- Opposition leader criticized the decision
- WA prime minister lets journalists travel with him
Daniel Andrews has defended his decision not to invite journalists to China as he faces stiff backlash over his secret trade trip.
The Victorian premier returned to Melbourne on Saturday after a week of meetings with senior officials in Beijing and Jiangsu and Sichuan provinces.
He was criticized for not bringing a press kit, with many raising concerns about transparency and freedom of the press.
Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews (pictured) returned to Melbourne on Saturday from an official trip to China
But the prime minister on Sunday insisted he had acted appropriately, noting that journalists would not have been able to interview any of the officials he met.
“Let’s be very clear on this: This trip wasn’t about me and with the utmost respect, it wasn’t about you,” Andrews said.
“It was about Victoria’s success and we stand behind what was a packed program and an important one, one where we received a very warm reception.”
The Victorian premier said it was customary for him to travel abroad without media.
“I have traveled to China without media before,” Andrews said on Sunday.
“In fact the last trip back in 2019 to China and Vietnam and there was no media with me.
‘I traveled to India without media. It’s not always the case that the media travels with us.’
Mr Andrews said he had fruitful discussions on trade and international students with a working group set up by Victoria and the Chinese Ministry of Education.
The group will work to attract more Chinese students to Melbourne, with a focus on increasing student exchanges.
A standing working group has also been established with Sichuan region to build on existing trade relations, while a task force has been established with Jiangsu province.
“Our relationship has always been strong because both sides have worked hard to make that happen,” Andrews said.
Andrews did not allow journalists to join him, saying there was no time for interviews (photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping)
“But after three and a half years, it’s important to come back and say, we’re open, we value your students, we value your partnerships with us.”
Mr Andrews said he did not discuss his state’s infrastructure projects or foreign policy issues.
Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto has accused the prime minister of keeping secrets.
He said the coalition would push for an investigation into the trip.
“Unless the Prime Minister comes with the full truth, we have no way of knowing how this trip will benefit the Victorians,” Pesutto told reporters on Sunday.
Western Australian Prime Minister Mark McGowan announced his own trip to China on Sunday, confirming he would take the media.
The five-day trip begins April 17 and includes high-level trade meetings.