Libs admit Chinese diaspora failings on listening tour
Ms Ley said she heard examples of racism and hatred that plagued the community that "made us very angry and very distressed".
"We didn't get everything right at the last election and I made it clear that I wanted a valuable, ongoing conversation," she told reporters after Monday's meeting in northwest Sydney, admitting the party struck the wrong cord with the diaspora.
"Protection from hate for our migrant communities should always be front and centre."
Ms Ley didn't answer whether an apology was issued for comments made during the election campaign by a senior Liberal senator about potential "Chinese spies" being embedded in Labor's campaign.
It followed media reports alleging Chinese Communist Party-linked volunteers were helping Labor during the May election campaign.
"I'm not going to go into the private discussions that we had today, but I am going to say that I freely admit that we did not get it right, that our tone wasn't right and the messaging wasn't right and that we needed to change course," Ms Ley said.
Shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser said Chinese Australians raised concerns about being able to contribute to their community.
"That was a very strong message that came through the valuing of communities, so those issues will very much be front and centre when we consider policies going forward," he said.
Parramatta Labor councillor Michael Ng said the Liberal Party lost the trust of the Chinese community due to its harsh rhetoric and lack of action to protect the diaspora.
Cr Ng wasn't at the roundtable but said he had heard concerns from Chinese Australians about their disappointment in the Liberal Party and some of that went back to how they were treated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"When it comes to election time, they try to say 'we support you', but when you look at the shadow ministers, their rhetoric doesn't support that," he told AAP.
An analysis of comments on Chinese social media platform WeChat carried out by Australian-Chinese Relations Institute deputy director Wanning Sun found the Liberals lost the trust of Chinese voters, pointing to hawkish language by shadow ministers against China.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
4 hours ago
- West Australian
‘We need leadership': Opposition leader to tour firebombed synagogue as Federal silence slammed after attacks
Public concern about antisemitism is highest in WA, where residents are more likely to be aware of negative perceptions toward Jewish people, according to a new Combat Antisemitism survey. It comes as Opposition Leader Sussan Ley prepares to visit a firebombed Melbourne synagogue on Tuesday following a spate of anti-Jewish attacks over the weekend. The Liberal leader, joined by shadow legal affairs spokesman Julian Leeser, will meet with affected community members, as questions mount over the Prime Minister's response. After issuing a brief statement on Saturday, Anthony Albanese left it to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and colleague Mark Dreyfus to front cameras while he attended a rugby match in Newcastle on Sunday. On Monday, he did not visit the site but travelled to Canberra for a Cabinet meeting. It came as Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan unveiled a new government-led Anti-Hate Taskforce to review police powers. Combat Antisemitism Movement chief executive Sacha Roytnam said that without strong federal leadership, responsibility was falling to state and local governments to respond. It comes as mayors from across Australia prepare to attend Combat Antisemitism's dedicated summit in September to help councils combat anti-Jewish discrimination. 'The scenes in Melbourne over the weekend were shocking — a synagogue firebombed, Jewish diners assaulted, cars torched — all within isn't isolated,' Mr Roytnam said. 'It's part of a deeply troubling pattern of anti-Jewish hate that's escalating across Australia. 'Frankly, the federal response has not matched the seriousness of the threat. 'We need leadership, not just words — stronger laws, clear consequences, and a zero-tolerance approach to hate, no matter who it targets.' Combat Antisemitism's June–July survey of 1000 Australians found one in ten witnessed or heard of local antisemitic incidents in the past year. Several Opposition members have urged the government to hold a dedicated National Cabinet meeting to tackle the issue. Former Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson on Monday urged the Albanese government to take stronger action, warning that ongoing attacks and protests require clear enforcement of the law. 'It's really time for the Prime Minister and the government to show leadership here,' he told ABC. 'This issue will continue to fester and get worse if it's not addressed and directly tackled head-on, and I want to see the government approach this with renewed vigour in this term.' He said perpetrators must face consequences to send a message that such behaviour won't be tolerated. University of Sydney Law School professor Tyrone Kirchengast said such a meeting could help address legal gaps across jurisdictions. 'What we're seeing is this traditional piecemeal approach between the Commonwealth and the States,' he said. 'I think what it's saying to the community is that there is a confused approach. 'The Commonwealth might have offenses but it's usually left to the States to police them, which means you're going to get inconsistent and uneven policing between the States. 'Then, of course, you've got inconsistent and uneven powers regarding protests. 'There's a way of perhaps bringing it before a National Cabinet. 'The other ways to potentially do it is with an agreement as to enforcing federal criminal law with regard to hate speech more consistently and evenly across the States.' While he welcomed Victoria's taskforce, Prof. Kirchengast said it diverts state resources and suggested federal funding for a similar dedicated group as an alternative. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged with setting fire to the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors on Friday night, forcing about 20 people inside to flee. The group was having Shabbat dinner, marking the beginning of the Jewish day of rest, when the attack took place at 8 pm. The latest flashpoint included an attack on Israeli restaurant Miznon, where a group reportedly chanted 'Death to the IDF,' mirroring a controversial performance by UK rap duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury Festival. Asked on Monday whether Victoria would consider protest permit rules similar to those in NSW, Ms Allan said her government was implementing a broader suite of measures. La Trobe University Institute for Human Security Emeritus Professor Dennis Altman said he didn't expect the government's response to go beyond its current approach. 'I don't think we can expect more. I mean, the problem is people keep calling for our politicians to do more without being very clear what it is they are able to do,' he said. 'I'm not quite sure what a government is able to do except prosecute people, which they certainly are going to do under already existing laws.' Instead, he called for a 'thought through careful strategy' involving education programs in schools and universities, arguing the current style of protesting was often 'counterproductive.'
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Warning for Aus amid Trump's tariff war
Australia stands to receive small but positive benefits from Donald Trump's tariff war, however, a broader trade war would have 'serious consequences', a new report has found. The latest Productivity Commission Trade and Assistance Review, released on Tuesday, said global uncertainty had been at its highest levels in 2025 since the Covid-19 pandemic, with the volatility created by new and increasing tariffs a 'central feature' in policy changes. The report said initially Australia's GDP would benefit from a boost of 0.37 per cent as a result of US imports from Australia being 'relatively cheaper' due to the lower tariffs placed on Australian goods. Lowered US demand also 'decreases the global price of imports from other countries' which would make goods cheaper to import globally. Although Australia's exports to the US currently face levies of 50 per cent for steel, 25 per cent for aluminium and 10 per cent on all other goods, they are not expected to increase following Mr Trump's July 9 negotiation deadline. Despite this, Anthony Albanese has said he wants to see the tariffs removed, amid increasing pressure on Labor to secure a face-to-face meeting with the US President. Productivity Commission deputy chair Alex Robson said the ensuing global uncertainty could 'affect living standards in Australia and around the world'. 'Uncertainty is a handbrake on investment – when businesses are uncertain about the future, they are less likely to invest,' Dr Robson said. 'Further retaliatory escalation could spiral into a broader trade war, which would bring serious consequences for Australia and the world.' The report also backed Labor's policy to not implement reciprocal tariffs, with the Productivity Commission saying Australia 'should not retaliate with its own tariffs to tariffs imposed by other trading partners,' which holds the 'risk of further escalation and ultimately worse outcomes for Australia'. 'While we cannot predict or control the trade policies of other countries, we can calibrate our own response to maximise the benefits to Australia given the policies of other countries,' it said. 'Moreover, by advocating for free trade with like-minded international partners, we can reduce the risk that retaliation spirals into a broader trade war that leads to worse outcomes for Australia.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the report confirmed that Australia was 'well placed and well prepared for all the uncertainty in the global economy'. 'The key message from the PC Review is that Australia is best served by continuing to advocate for free and fair trade, and that's exactly what we've done,' he said. The Treasurer also indicated support for the report's call to abolish a further 315 'urgent priority' nuisance tariffs, levies which increase compliance costs for businesses with little revenue benefit. This follows the government's first-term action on removing 457 tariffs on low-value goods like toothbrushes, clothing, sanitary products and dishwashers also boost productivity. Jim Chalmers flagged support for the further removal of nuisance tariffs. Dan Peled/ NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia While the PC said removing all 2640 import tariffs could grow Australia's economy between $3bn to $7bn, while reducing consumer costs by 0.13 per cent to 0.25 per cent, it acknowledged this may be prevented due to 'political constraints'. However Mr Chalmers flagged further reform was 'part of our substantial productivity agenda'. The report comes as Labor is set to hold a productivity roundtable in August, which will gather business leaders, unions and government to debate and discuss further reform. Mr Chalmers said the conversations would further boost productivity and strengthen Australia's resilience to ensure the nation benefits from 'all the churn and change in the world'. Speaking on Friday, the Prime Minister said he didn't want to pre-empt outcomes from the roundtable, saying it would 'shut down the debate before you've actually got people in the room'. 'The worst that can happen is that people develop relationships because they've spent a couple of days together,' he said.
West Australian
5 hours ago
- West Australian
Productivity Commission says Australia can weather tariffs, but warns a global trade war would have 'serious consequences'
Australia stands to receive small but positive benefits from Donald Trump's tariff war, however, a broader trade war would have 'serious consequences', a new report has found. The latest Productivity Commission Trade and Assistance Review, released on Tuesday, said global uncertainty had been at its highest levels in 2025 since the Covid-19 pandemic, with the volatility created by new and increasing tariffs a 'central feature' in policy changes. The report said initially Australia's GDP would benefit from a boost of 0.37 per cent as a result of US imports from Australia being 'relatively cheaper' due to the lower tariffs placed on Australian goods. Lowered US demand also 'decreases the global price of imports from other countries' which would make goods cheaper to import globally. Although Australia's exports to the US currently face levies of 50 per cent for steel, 25 per cent for aluminium and 10 per cent on all other goods, they are not expected to increase following Mr Trump's July 9 negotiation deadline. Despite this, Anthony Albanese has said he wants to see the tariffs removed, amid increasing pressure on Labor to secure a face-to-face meeting with the US President. Productivity Commission deputy chair Alex Robson said the ensuing global uncertainty could 'affect living standards in Australia and around the world'. 'Uncertainty is a handbrake on investment – when businesses are uncertain about the future, they are less likely to invest,' Dr Robson said. 'Further retaliatory escalation could spiral into a broader trade war, which would bring serious consequences for Australia and the world.' The report also backed Labor's policy to not implement reciprocal tariffs, with the Productivity Commission saying Australia 'should not retaliate with its own tariffs to tariffs imposed by other trading partners,' which holds the 'risk of further escalation and ultimately worse outcomes for Australia'. 'While we cannot predict or control the trade policies of other countries, we can calibrate our own response to maximise the benefits to Australia given the policies of other countries,' it said. 'Moreover, by advocating for free trade with like-minded international partners, we can reduce the risk that retaliation spirals into a broader trade war that leads to worse outcomes for Australia.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the report confirmed that Australia was 'well placed and well prepared for all the uncertainty in the global economy'. 'The key message from the PC Review is that Australia is best served by continuing to advocate for free and fair trade, and that's exactly what we've done,' he said. The Treasurer also indicated support for the report's call to abolish a further 315 'urgent priority' nuisance tariffs, levies which increase compliance costs for businesses with little revenue benefit. This follows the government's first-term action on removing 457 tariffs on low-value goods like toothbrushes, clothing, sanitary products and dishwashers also boost productivity. While the PC said removing all 2640 import tariffs could grow Australia's economy between $3bn to $7bn, while reducing consumer costs by 0.13 per cent to 0.25 per cent, it acknowledged this may be prevented due to 'political constraints'. However Mr Chalmers flagged further reform was 'part of our substantial productivity agenda'. The report comes as Labor is set to hold a productivity roundtable in August, which will gather business leaders, unions and government to debate and discuss further reform. Mr Chalmers said the conversations would further boost productivity and strengthen Australia's resilience to ensure the nation benefits from 'all the churn and change in the world'. Speaking on Friday, the Prime Minister said he didn't want to pre-empt outcomes from the roundtable, saying it would 'shut down the debate before you've actually got people in the room'. 'The worst that can happen is that people develop relationships because they've spent a couple of days together,' he said.
