Sussan Ley said Liberals ‘didn't get it right' with Chinese community during federal election
At the May 3 federal election, the Liberals failed to retake the notionally Liberal seat of Bennelong, with Labor's incumbent Jerome Laxale boosting his margin from a super slim 1 per cent to 9.3 per cent.
In Melbourne, Liberal MP Keith Wolahan lost the blue-ribbon seat of Menzies to Labor's Gabriel Ng, and Labor's Carina Garland also maintained Chisholm.
The Coalition also suffered backlash from the community after former frontbencher Jane Hume claimed Chinese spies were volunteering for Labor Housing Minister Clare O'Neil.
Following a meeting with Chinese community leaders in Epping in Sydney's northwest on Monday, Ms Ley said conversations were 'frank' and it was clear the party needed to 'course correct'.
When asked directly about Senator Hume's comments, she reiterated that the party had made mistakes in the lead up to May 3.
'We didn't get it right. We didn't get the tone right. We didn't always get the messaging right, and I want to freely acknowledge that we've turned the page,' she said.
'I'm a new leader with a different tone, different priorities and a different team.'
While she would not disclose 'private discussions' with community leaders, she said the Liberals would continue the dialogue with community members.
'I think that message was well received, but I also know that the Chinese Australian community expects ongoing dialogue from this point forward,' Ms Ley said.
'So to them, they're focused on the future, and they're focused on what happens next, and they're focused on their families and their communities and their economic circumstances, just as all Australians are.'
Ahead of Anthony Albanese's trip to China later this week, Ms Ley wished the Prime Minister 'well' but urged caution against expanding the free trade agreement to include to artificial intelligence.
'The people-to-people links that we talked about today underpin that, and they're part of the incredible Chinese diaspora and character that is part of the Australian community today,' Ms Ley said, adding that the Australia-China relationship would be built on 'mutual respect'.
'With respect to artificial intelligence and new free trade agreements, we have to proceed with caution, understanding the implications that always come with issues that concern our national interest.'
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