China Victory Day Parade live: Daniel Andrews seen with Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un in Beijing
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China's military might on full display
The China Victory Day Parade, which has just kicked off, is marking the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.
The highly anticipated event is being used by China as a way to display the enormous scale of its military, which has rapidly grown in recent years.
In attendance from Australia, controversially, are two former Labor State premiers, former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and former NSW Premier Bob Carr.
Daniel Andrews spotted with Xi, Putin and Jong un
Victoria’s former Labor Premier Daniel Andrews has been spotted at a Chinese military parade alongside President Xi Jinping, President Vladimir Putin and Supreme Ruler Kim Jong Un.
Mr Andrews was seen shaking hands with President Xi as he was warmly welcomed to the parade as a special guest, before posing for a group photo with global leaders.
The former Labor Premier was positioned behind North Korea’s leader in the group photo.
Australia’s ambassador skips Xi Jinping’s mega military parade
Australia’s ambassador to China will not be attending Xi Jinping’s mega military parade in Beijing marking 80 years since the end of World War II.
The guest list is long with autocrats and dictators, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and even the head of Myanmar’s brutal military junta, Min Aung Hlaing.
NewsWire understands Australia’s envoy, Scott Dewar, was invited to Wednesday’s parade but declined.
However, Australia will be sending the embassy’s defence attaché and political counsellor.
Among those who will appear are former Labor premiers Dan Andrews and Bob Carr, who was also foreign minister to Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd.
Palaszczuk: Andrews, Carr have ‘just gone next level’ by attending Beijing parade
Former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has criticised fellow Labor figures Daniel Andrews and Bob Carr for their decision to attend China’s Victory Day military parade, labelling it “a bridge too far.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are also expected to appear at the Beijing parade on Wednesday, which has already drawn sharp political debate in Australia.
“I respect Dan, I respect Bob, but I think they’ve just gone the next level,” Ms Palaszczuk told Sky News.
“Go there for a holiday, do your business talks, but there’s no need to attend this military parade.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the decision by the former premiers risks sending mixed diplomatic signals.
“Trade is one thing, and tourism, but military parades … I would honestly stop and think seriously about that.”
Neo-nazi charged over attack on Aboriginal protest site
A self-confessed white nationalist has been charged after he and his followers allegedly attacked an Aboriginal protest site.
Dozens of officers arrested Thomas Sewell outside Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon, along with two of his supporters.
Sewell was allegedly among about 40 men dressed in black accused of storming Camp Sovereignty on Sunday evening after attending an anti-immigration rally in the CBD.
Footage showed Sewell, associate Nathan Bull and others lashing out at people gathered at the site, where the remains of Indigenous people from 38 clans are located.
Hastie blasts Andrews and Carr over Beijing parade attendance
Opposition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie has hit out at former Labor premiers Bob Carr and Daniel Andrews for attending a major military parade in Beijing on Wednesday marking 80 years since the end of World War II.
Mr Hastie has accused the pair of lacking judgement for choosing to be part of what he described as a showcase for authoritarian leaders, with Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un.
“When you know that Vladimir Putin, when you know that Kim Jong-un is going – this is a parade for dictators. It’s a celebration of the Chinese Communist Party,” he told Sky News on Wednesday morning.
“I look forward to seeing them clap like seals as the missiles roll by.”
Mr Hastie urged Mr Carr and Mr Andrews to follow the lead of Australian ambassador to China, Scott Dewar, who will not be in attendance. He dismissed Mr Carr’s claims that China’s wartime sacrifices justify Australia’s representation at the event.
“I don’t think I want to get into counterfactuals with World War II. Our troops fought valiantly to defend Australia. America played a huge role in the Pacific War. I think that’s pretty cute from Bob Carr to make this about history. This is pageantry run by the CCP,” he said.
Australia sanctions Russian elites
Australia has slapped sanctions on more than a dozen Russian elites, including government officials closely allied with Vladimir Putin.
Among those targeted are judges who have inflicted harsh penalties on critics of the Russian President, industry executives, and senior senators.
“The Australian government is imposing further targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against 14 individuals responsible for silencing political expression in Russia, as well as enabling the illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced.
“The human rights situation in Russia continues to deteriorate with violent crackdowns aimed at suppressing human rights and anti-war advocacy.
“We condemn Russia’s intimidation and reprisals against civil society and human rights defenders, and reiterate our call for Russia to comply with its international human rights obligations.”
Xi Jinping hosts Putin, Kim Jong Un in Beijing
China’s President Xi Jinping is convening his Russian and North Korean counterparts in Beijing for the first time, in a show of solidarity with countries shunned by the West over their role in Europe’s worst war in 80 years.
Xi hosted Vladimir Putin for talks at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday and then at his personal residence, calling him his “old friend”.
A few hours later, Kim Jong-un’s armoured train was spotted by a Reuters witness arriving in the Chinese capital.
North Korean state media confirmed Kim’s arrival, saying he was greeted by Chinese officials including foreign minister Wang Yi and expressed his thanks to Xi for his hospitality.
Trump’s big space announcement amid death rumours
An upbeat Donald Trump has appeared after several days out of sight to announce the new headquarters of the US Space Command, while also dismissing rampant social media speculation about his health.
Speaking from the White House, the US President announced that the command centre will move to Huntsville, Alabama, from Colorado, reversing a decision made under the Biden Administration.
“The US Space Command headquarters will move to the beautiful locale of a place called Huntsville, Alabama, forever to be known, from this point forward, as Rocket City,” Mr Trump declared.
Ley slams neo-nazi confrontation: ‘We need to de-radicalise, de-escalate’
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has condemned the confrontation between neo-nazi Thomas Sewell and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, saying she “felt sick” watching the Premier be shouted down during a press conference on Tuesday.
“We need to de-radicalise, de-escalate, work together as a society to tackle something that I’m seeing as a troubling trend, an escalation in political violence,” Ms Ley told Nine on Wednesday morning.
“I disagree with Jacinta Allan on a whole range of policy matters, but I really felt sick watching how she was shouted at by this nazi individual and had to leave in such a manner.”
Reflecting on her own journey to Australia as a young migrant, Ms Ley said the ugly confrontation stood in stark contrast to the values she believes define the nation.
“This is not who we are as Australians. This is not the country that I migrated to as a teenager for a better chance at a life that has delivered so much, like so many people in this country.
“This sickness has to be removed.”
