June 7, 2023
Premier Daniel Andrews delivered his speech, on behalf of Victoria, to the Post Pandemic China-Australia Economic Cooperation Forum on Monday night.
But in a move described as “highly irregular”, those Victorians for whom Mr Andrews spoke cannot hear what he did or did not say.
The Herald Sun turned up to the forum, at the Park Hyatt, tape recorder in hand.
And was turned away from the super secretive talkfest ostensibly about navigating Chinese trade markets and opportunities.
It appears that the Herald Sun, along with all Australian media, was left off the invitation list.
A lady at the front desk said Chinese media only.
Signs outside the function room warned guests not to take photos or videos inside.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp was in attendance, while former Trade Minister Andrew Robb delivered a speech.
“It was an important event,” Mr Andrews said on Tuesday.
“I certainly made the point that the China and Victoria partnership is critically important to jobs, to exports, to international education, to food and wine and every sector really.
“They are our biggest trading partner. If you’ve got a bad relationship with your biggest customer, your business has got real problems.”
Mr Andrews, who recently visited China without media, said he had “no idea” why local media was banned from attending the event.
The forum has been shrouded in mystery since the Herald Sun asked Mr Andrews’ office if he was speaking at it — then waited a week to receive confirmation that he was.
Opposition Leader John Pesutto said it wasn’t acceptable for the Premier to be delivering secret speeches.
“This is not IBAC where he gets to make his comments in secret. These are speeches that he’s making on behalf of the Victorian people,” he said.
“No political leader, whether it’s Daniel Andrews or myself, should expect to be able to give speeches in secret.
“It’s just not the way we operate in Victoria.”
Last week, Victorian Liberal MP James Paterson cited the Herald Sun to use Senate estimates to raise concerns about a forum sponsor, China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS).
He called it a “front group” for China’s top spy agency, the Ministry of State Security (MSS).
“As a matter of principle, is it appropriate for a MSS front group to be involved in organising a conference in Australia?” he asked.
Mr Andrews was unable to confirm whether his speech would be publicly released saying he has spoken from basic notes.
On Tuesday, Senator Paterson said it was “highly irregular and inappropriate for a Premier to give a speech in Victoria and bar the media from attending”.
“What does Daniel Andrews have to hide?” he asked.
“What did he say that he doesn’t want Victorians to hear?
The premier’s latest display of apathy for the media comes as he halts print advertising in the Herald Sun and The Age.
That strategy has raised fears that Victorians will miss out on vital information such as campaigns to reduce the road toll, bushfire safety initiatives and public health alerts.
In a promotional video for the China forum, multinational law firm Pinsent Masons’, Andrew Fisken, told listeners post-pandemic China offers “a host of new opportunities from selling products and services into the Chinese market to leveraging Chinese technology and capital”.
“To hear leading experts from China and Australia provide their views on these topics and hear how you can leverage these opportunities to develop your business,” he said.
