Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien blasts Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over lack of outcomes from China trip
Mr O'Brien told Sky News Sunday Agenda that the trip–which did not include stops in Japan or South Korea–sent the wrong message about Australia's foreign policy priorities.
Throughout the trip, Mr Albanese engaged in soft diplomacy, visiting a Giant Panda centre, touring the Great Wall of China and dining with President Xi Jinping.
It comes amid concerns about the relationship between Australia and the United States, as Mr Albanese has yet to meet President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, the US President has said he will consider imposing trade barriers on countries which align too closely with China.
'He was weak because he's part of a team which is weak,' Mr O'Brien said of Mr Albanese's visit to Beijing.
'This entire thing, I think, speaks to weakness. This Prime Minister is more a cheerleader than he is actually a leader. And this is the problem.'
Mr O'Brien said that while the opposition supports the diplomatic visit, voters had a right to expect more from a six-day visit.
'We're not criticising him going on a foreign trip. We're saying that he did not meet expectation,' he said.
'Again, look, if it was one or two days and then he went to other countries, great. But six days in country – you have to ask yourself, what was achieved by that?'
Mr O'Brien also claimed the government had failed to maintain balance in its strategic relationships, particularly when it came to the United States.
'It sends this big message that we do not have a similar relationship between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Australia,' he said.
'That is of deep concern, and it's why he has to prioritise that relationship.'
Attorney General Michelle Rowland also responded to questions about the criticisms of Mr Albanese's trip and argued the visit was in the national interest.
'Our relationship with China is obviously important, as is our relationship with the United States,' she told Sky News Sunday Agenda.
'We will engage in the national interest wherever we can. With China, we will always act in the national interest, and often we will disagree.
'This is important from the perspective of our trade and of stabilising that relationship, which, quite frankly, had broken down under successive liberal governments.'
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