Mark Butler accuses Coalition of ‘student politics’ over Chinese warships criticism

Health Minister Mark Butler has accused the Coalition of “student politics” over its criticism of the Federal Government’s response to Chinese live-firing exercises in international waters in the Tasman Sea.

Commercial flights between Australia and New Zealand were warned after it emerged China warships undertook live-fire navy drills in international waters off Australia on Friday.

The Australian Defence Force said there had been no official warning from the Chinese vessels - a frigate, cruiser and supply tanker - which it said was contrary to ‘best practice’.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said questions had been raised with Chinese authorities as to why the notice period was so short for the live weapons drills.

Mr Butler told Sky News on Sunday the Australian Defence Force was conducting surveillance exercises to have “a good line of sight on these operations by the Chinese”.

“I see the Opposition using a bit of loud-hailer diplomacy again here for domestic political purposes, presumably because they haven’t actually put a suggestion about what alternatively we should be doing,” Mr Butler said.

“This is juvenile, this is student politics.

“They have not said one thing they would have the ADF do that we’re not currently doing.

“The ADF know how to manage this. I have complete confidence in their ability to manage it.”

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor had accused Labor of “not standing up for their national interest”, labelling the situation as “gunboat diplomacy”.

“I just think they’re not standing up for their national interest,” he told Sky News on Sunday.

“There needs to be mutual respect in these relationships, and that’s about more than just notice.

“You need notice for someone to sit off your coast and engage in gunboat diplomacy, which is exactly what’s happened here.

“That’s completely unacceptable and the government needs to say that, very clearly.”

Mr Butler had echoed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assurances last week that China’s actions in international waters were “consistent with international law”.

“They’re in international waters just as we operate in international waters including up in north Asia,” Mr Butler said.

“It’s our right to do that, it’s China’s right to do that, it’s the right of every nation to do that.

“But of course we are watching closely. We have maritime and aviation assets in the area.”