Latest news with #GoughWhitlam
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
What defines an ‘Australian song'? Triple J's hottest 100 sparks national identity debate
Debating what makes a song 'Australian' As Triple J prepares to broadcast the Hottest 100 Australian Songs on July 26, attention turns beyond the rankings to a broader cultural question: What defines an 'Australian song'? Is it the nationality of the artist, the thematic content, the sonic elements, or a combination of these factors? Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Technology Data Science Data Science Degree MCA Product Management Artificial Intelligence Management Others Healthcare healthcare Leadership Data Analytics Digital Marketing Operations Management Public Policy Cybersecurity Design Thinking Project Management Finance CXO MBA PGDM others Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details Musical cultures have existed in Australia for tens of thousands of years. The sound of the didgeridoo, for instance, has often been used to signal 'Australianness' in film, television, and occasionally in popular music. Yet, due to colonization and systemic exclusion, much of this Indigenous musical heritage has been marginalized in the commercial music landscape. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing you Can be Too Old for Learn More Undo Also read: Wave to Earth announce first-ever Aussie & NZ tour; find out when & where they're playing Since colonization in the late 18th century, Australia's music has reflected broader global influences. Settlers imported genres such as jazz, country, rock, and pop, which local musicians adapted. However, questions remain about whether these adaptations constitute a distinctly Australian sound or reflect cultural imitation. These tensions parallel historical questions about Australian national identity — whether it functions as a sovereign country or remains culturally tethered to its colonial past. Live Events The legacy of pub rock and cultural identity In the 1970s, the pub rock movement, characterized by distorted guitars and grassroots energy, emerged as one of Australia's earliest contributions to global post-rock 'n' roll culture. Bands such as Midnight Oil and Cold Chisel gained popularity not only for their sound but also for references to Australian places, politics, and working-class life. During this period, then-Prime Minister Gough Whitlam expanded funding for the arts to help shape an Australian identity. Simultaneously, the launch of youth radio station 2JJ, now Triple J, offered a broadcast platform for emerging local acts. This era laid the groundwork for what is now referred to as the 'Oz rock canon,' a collection of Australian rock music that has shaped cultural perceptions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's selections for the Hottest 100, composed almost entirely of white male musicians, reflect the enduring influence of this canon. Despite political differences, both he and his predecessor submitted strikingly similar lists, underscoring the narrow scope of what has traditionally been recognized as 'Australian music.' Evolving canons and new Australian sounds Triple J's 2009 Hottest 100 of All Time reaffirmed the dominance of the rock canon. However, it also signaled the rising popularity of Australian hip-hop, with Hilltop Hoods' The Nosebleed Section ranking highest among Australian entries. In 2011, Triple J released the Hottest 100 Australian Albums of All Time . Powderfinger's Odyssey Number Five secured the top spot, with entries from electronic groups such as The Presets and The Avalanches reflecting a broader sonic range. Still, the list was male-dominated, with Missy Higgins's The Sound of White at number 29 being the highest-ranking woman-fronted album. Recent years have seen increased Indigenous representation across Australian music. Artists such as Thelma Plum, Barkaa, A.B. Original, and Baker Boy use diverse genres to celebrate cultural identity and critique the national narrative. A.B. Original's January 26 , which ranked number 17 in 2016, exemplifies music's role in social commentary. That same year, Triple J moved the countdown from Australia Day to a different date, indicating a shift in public sentiment. Music, disagreement, and national reflection A strong contender in the 2024 countdown is Treaty (Radio Mix) by Yothu Yindi, a track that reached number 11 in 1991's all-time list. Its continued relevance highlights how musical canons can evolve to reflect societal change. Also read: Lorde announces 2026 arena tour in Australia; Know the dates, her family, and net worth Recent controversies, including criticism of Creative Australia's handling of politically-charged art, have sparked debate over how cultural expression intersects with social cohesion. Critics argue that democratic societies must accommodate disagreement and that art plays a vital role in questioning dominant narratives. As Triple J's Hottest 100 continues to showcase a spectrum of artists, it offers a platform for reconsidering Australian identity. Whether through traditional rock or Indigenous hip-hop, the songs selected, and the discussions they prompt, reflect the complexities of what it means to live on these lands today.
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Beware of franchising the Snapchat generation
This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to At 16, I knew everything. About history, politics, music, cars, motorbikes, life in general. Adulthood and its attendant right to drive, vote, and stay out late couldn't come fast enough for someone so confident in their own knowledge about the world around them. It finally arrived, legally at least, when I turned 18, just four years after the voting age was lowered in the first substantive legislative change enacted by the Whitlam government. And it was when adulthood arrived - and the law required me to vote in the 1977 federal election - that I realised I actually knew very little. About history, politics, music, cars, etc. The simple certainty of youthful me has been eroded ever since. The acquisition of knowledge is like that - the more you know, the more you realise you don't know. Which is why I'm ambivalent about the UK's decision to lower the voting age to 16. I can see both sides of the argument. Sixteen-year-olds can work and pay taxes. And it's their futures that will be affected by government policies. They can already vote for local representatives in Scotland and Wales, but not in England and Northern Ireland. On the other hand, as pointed out by the Tories who oppose the move, they can't drive, buy alcohol, marry or go to war. Nor can they stand as candidates. The law is likely to pass because of Labour's commanding majority, which will no doubt fuel calls for Australia to follow suit. But before we jump on the bandwagon, we should take note of one key difference. In the UK, 16-year-olds will not be compelled to vote. Here, it would be compulsory. In principle, fine. But in reality, a likely very different story. Earlier this year, national curriculum testing revealed knowledge of civics among young Australians was at its lowest level on record. A worrying percentage of Year 10 students struggled with basic concepts such as the three levels of government and the difference between a referendum and a general election. Add to that the large number of voters casting informal ballots at the last election. Gough Whitlam's old seat of Werriwa recorded the highest number of informal votes out of all electorates. We can assume some of those informal votes were intentional, but the vast majority would have been cast in error, meaning more than 17 per cent of voters in the seat denied themselves their democratic right. These were adults. Would tipping younger teenagers into the mix make matters worse? Probably not if civics were drummed into them as it was in the dark ages of my teen years. It might have been dry as dust, but rote learning about Parliament, the three different levels of government and the courts served us as well as mastering the times tables. Of course, back then there was no internet and no social media platforms roiling with disinformation and toxic ideology. There was a manosphere, but it was out in the open, expressed by "rock apes" as they were known, doing Friday night laps of Canberra's Civic centre in hotted-up EH Holdens. If the federal government can come up with an effective under-16 ban on social media, I'll be more comfortable with lowering the voting age. But until that happens, we're safer with the status quo. HAVE YOUR SAY: Should 16-year-olds be given the vote? If so, should such a move be delayed until the under-16 social media ban comes into force? Should we be concerned about the large number of informal votes at this year's election? Do we need more compulsory civics education? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - The Reserve Bank of Australia was blindsided by a surprise jump in unemployment, a read-out of its shock rate-hold meeting has revealed. - Accused pedophile Joshua Dale Brown won't face court again until next year, after a magistrate gave police more time to gather evidence against him. - Australia has decried Israel's "drip feeding of aid and inhumane killing" of civilians in Gaza as pro-Palestine protesters rally in the nation's capital on the first day of Parliament. THEY SAID IT: "Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." - Franklin D. Roosevelt YOU SAID IT: As the cheating CEO and his HR executive have learned, it's foolish to misbehave in public with so many cameras about. Paddy remembers how his late father, a linesman working in Woolloomooloo, was caught after availing himself of a keg that had rolled off a brewery truck: "After a while, a crowd of wharfies, dogmen, sailors and passers-by assembled and started to help drink the keg. Believe it or not, they managed to have what would be called a block party today without Twitter or Instagram. A passing reporter snapped several photos of the afternoon's events and whisked them off to the Daily Telegraph." Paddy's dad was upbraided the next day by his boss. "His boss was furious. He ranted and raved at Dad. After about five minutes, he pointed to a phone box in the background of the photo and asked 'Don, why didn't you ring me? I could have used a beer yesterday!'" "About 20 years ago, there was an incident at the Oz Open tennis in Melbourne on Channel 7, which took the cake," writes Bill. The TV director was bored and had his cameras scanning the punters in the far top seats. Suddenly, there was a quick pan back. Yep - there was a young couple having sex on the top rung. The commentators saw it, made mention, and returned to the contest on the court." Lee writes: "I think the only camera that has 'caught' me is a speed camera sending me a fine for doing 55 in a 50 zone. I do feel very sorry for the families involved. They most likely didn't have a clue, and now the whole world knows. How horrible for them. They must be hurting badly." "People talk about poor judgment - but no one is talking about how wrong it is, in my view, to be publicly outed without consent," writes Mike. "That screen didn't just show faces; it blew up lives. He has two children and she has one child." Sue writes: "Everything is caught on camera, but even people who film everything they can seem to think that they are immune to being caught on camera themselves - until they are, and then they complain about a lack of privacy! Go figure!" This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to At 16, I knew everything. About history, politics, music, cars, motorbikes, life in general. Adulthood and its attendant right to drive, vote, and stay out late couldn't come fast enough for someone so confident in their own knowledge about the world around them. It finally arrived, legally at least, when I turned 18, just four years after the voting age was lowered in the first substantive legislative change enacted by the Whitlam government. And it was when adulthood arrived - and the law required me to vote in the 1977 federal election - that I realised I actually knew very little. About history, politics, music, cars, etc. The simple certainty of youthful me has been eroded ever since. The acquisition of knowledge is like that - the more you know, the more you realise you don't know. Which is why I'm ambivalent about the UK's decision to lower the voting age to 16. I can see both sides of the argument. Sixteen-year-olds can work and pay taxes. And it's their futures that will be affected by government policies. They can already vote for local representatives in Scotland and Wales, but not in England and Northern Ireland. On the other hand, as pointed out by the Tories who oppose the move, they can't drive, buy alcohol, marry or go to war. Nor can they stand as candidates. The law is likely to pass because of Labour's commanding majority, which will no doubt fuel calls for Australia to follow suit. But before we jump on the bandwagon, we should take note of one key difference. In the UK, 16-year-olds will not be compelled to vote. Here, it would be compulsory. In principle, fine. But in reality, a likely very different story. Earlier this year, national curriculum testing revealed knowledge of civics among young Australians was at its lowest level on record. A worrying percentage of Year 10 students struggled with basic concepts such as the three levels of government and the difference between a referendum and a general election. Add to that the large number of voters casting informal ballots at the last election. Gough Whitlam's old seat of Werriwa recorded the highest number of informal votes out of all electorates. We can assume some of those informal votes were intentional, but the vast majority would have been cast in error, meaning more than 17 per cent of voters in the seat denied themselves their democratic right. These were adults. Would tipping younger teenagers into the mix make matters worse? Probably not if civics were drummed into them as it was in the dark ages of my teen years. It might have been dry as dust, but rote learning about Parliament, the three different levels of government and the courts served us as well as mastering the times tables. Of course, back then there was no internet and no social media platforms roiling with disinformation and toxic ideology. There was a manosphere, but it was out in the open, expressed by "rock apes" as they were known, doing Friday night laps of Canberra's Civic centre in hotted-up EH Holdens. If the federal government can come up with an effective under-16 ban on social media, I'll be more comfortable with lowering the voting age. But until that happens, we're safer with the status quo. HAVE YOUR SAY: Should 16-year-olds be given the vote? If so, should such a move be delayed until the under-16 social media ban comes into force? Should we be concerned about the large number of informal votes at this year's election? Do we need more compulsory civics education? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - The Reserve Bank of Australia was blindsided by a surprise jump in unemployment, a read-out of its shock rate-hold meeting has revealed. - Accused pedophile Joshua Dale Brown won't face court again until next year, after a magistrate gave police more time to gather evidence against him. - Australia has decried Israel's "drip feeding of aid and inhumane killing" of civilians in Gaza as pro-Palestine protesters rally in the nation's capital on the first day of Parliament. THEY SAID IT: "Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." - Franklin D. Roosevelt YOU SAID IT: As the cheating CEO and his HR executive have learned, it's foolish to misbehave in public with so many cameras about. Paddy remembers how his late father, a linesman working in Woolloomooloo, was caught after availing himself of a keg that had rolled off a brewery truck: "After a while, a crowd of wharfies, dogmen, sailors and passers-by assembled and started to help drink the keg. Believe it or not, they managed to have what would be called a block party today without Twitter or Instagram. A passing reporter snapped several photos of the afternoon's events and whisked them off to the Daily Telegraph." Paddy's dad was upbraided the next day by his boss. "His boss was furious. He ranted and raved at Dad. After about five minutes, he pointed to a phone box in the background of the photo and asked 'Don, why didn't you ring me? I could have used a beer yesterday!'" "About 20 years ago, there was an incident at the Oz Open tennis in Melbourne on Channel 7, which took the cake," writes Bill. The TV director was bored and had his cameras scanning the punters in the far top seats. Suddenly, there was a quick pan back. Yep - there was a young couple having sex on the top rung. The commentators saw it, made mention, and returned to the contest on the court." Lee writes: "I think the only camera that has 'caught' me is a speed camera sending me a fine for doing 55 in a 50 zone. I do feel very sorry for the families involved. They most likely didn't have a clue, and now the whole world knows. How horrible for them. They must be hurting badly." "People talk about poor judgment - but no one is talking about how wrong it is, in my view, to be publicly outed without consent," writes Mike. "That screen didn't just show faces; it blew up lives. He has two children and she has one child." Sue writes: "Everything is caught on camera, but even people who film everything they can seem to think that they are immune to being caught on camera themselves - until they are, and then they complain about a lack of privacy! Go figure!" This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to At 16, I knew everything. About history, politics, music, cars, motorbikes, life in general. Adulthood and its attendant right to drive, vote, and stay out late couldn't come fast enough for someone so confident in their own knowledge about the world around them. It finally arrived, legally at least, when I turned 18, just four years after the voting age was lowered in the first substantive legislative change enacted by the Whitlam government. And it was when adulthood arrived - and the law required me to vote in the 1977 federal election - that I realised I actually knew very little. About history, politics, music, cars, etc. The simple certainty of youthful me has been eroded ever since. The acquisition of knowledge is like that - the more you know, the more you realise you don't know. Which is why I'm ambivalent about the UK's decision to lower the voting age to 16. I can see both sides of the argument. Sixteen-year-olds can work and pay taxes. And it's their futures that will be affected by government policies. They can already vote for local representatives in Scotland and Wales, but not in England and Northern Ireland. On the other hand, as pointed out by the Tories who oppose the move, they can't drive, buy alcohol, marry or go to war. Nor can they stand as candidates. The law is likely to pass because of Labour's commanding majority, which will no doubt fuel calls for Australia to follow suit. But before we jump on the bandwagon, we should take note of one key difference. In the UK, 16-year-olds will not be compelled to vote. Here, it would be compulsory. In principle, fine. But in reality, a likely very different story. Earlier this year, national curriculum testing revealed knowledge of civics among young Australians was at its lowest level on record. A worrying percentage of Year 10 students struggled with basic concepts such as the three levels of government and the difference between a referendum and a general election. Add to that the large number of voters casting informal ballots at the last election. Gough Whitlam's old seat of Werriwa recorded the highest number of informal votes out of all electorates. We can assume some of those informal votes were intentional, but the vast majority would have been cast in error, meaning more than 17 per cent of voters in the seat denied themselves their democratic right. These were adults. Would tipping younger teenagers into the mix make matters worse? Probably not if civics were drummed into them as it was in the dark ages of my teen years. It might have been dry as dust, but rote learning about Parliament, the three different levels of government and the courts served us as well as mastering the times tables. Of course, back then there was no internet and no social media platforms roiling with disinformation and toxic ideology. There was a manosphere, but it was out in the open, expressed by "rock apes" as they were known, doing Friday night laps of Canberra's Civic centre in hotted-up EH Holdens. If the federal government can come up with an effective under-16 ban on social media, I'll be more comfortable with lowering the voting age. But until that happens, we're safer with the status quo. HAVE YOUR SAY: Should 16-year-olds be given the vote? If so, should such a move be delayed until the under-16 social media ban comes into force? Should we be concerned about the large number of informal votes at this year's election? Do we need more compulsory civics education? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - The Reserve Bank of Australia was blindsided by a surprise jump in unemployment, a read-out of its shock rate-hold meeting has revealed. - Accused pedophile Joshua Dale Brown won't face court again until next year, after a magistrate gave police more time to gather evidence against him. - Australia has decried Israel's "drip feeding of aid and inhumane killing" of civilians in Gaza as pro-Palestine protesters rally in the nation's capital on the first day of Parliament. THEY SAID IT: "Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." - Franklin D. Roosevelt YOU SAID IT: As the cheating CEO and his HR executive have learned, it's foolish to misbehave in public with so many cameras about. Paddy remembers how his late father, a linesman working in Woolloomooloo, was caught after availing himself of a keg that had rolled off a brewery truck: "After a while, a crowd of wharfies, dogmen, sailors and passers-by assembled and started to help drink the keg. Believe it or not, they managed to have what would be called a block party today without Twitter or Instagram. A passing reporter snapped several photos of the afternoon's events and whisked them off to the Daily Telegraph." Paddy's dad was upbraided the next day by his boss. "His boss was furious. He ranted and raved at Dad. After about five minutes, he pointed to a phone box in the background of the photo and asked 'Don, why didn't you ring me? I could have used a beer yesterday!'" "About 20 years ago, there was an incident at the Oz Open tennis in Melbourne on Channel 7, which took the cake," writes Bill. The TV director was bored and had his cameras scanning the punters in the far top seats. Suddenly, there was a quick pan back. Yep - there was a young couple having sex on the top rung. The commentators saw it, made mention, and returned to the contest on the court." Lee writes: "I think the only camera that has 'caught' me is a speed camera sending me a fine for doing 55 in a 50 zone. I do feel very sorry for the families involved. They most likely didn't have a clue, and now the whole world knows. How horrible for them. They must be hurting badly." "People talk about poor judgment - but no one is talking about how wrong it is, in my view, to be publicly outed without consent," writes Mike. "That screen didn't just show faces; it blew up lives. He has two children and she has one child." Sue writes: "Everything is caught on camera, but even people who film everything they can seem to think that they are immune to being caught on camera themselves - until they are, and then they complain about a lack of privacy! Go figure!" This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to At 16, I knew everything. About history, politics, music, cars, motorbikes, life in general. Adulthood and its attendant right to drive, vote, and stay out late couldn't come fast enough for someone so confident in their own knowledge about the world around them. It finally arrived, legally at least, when I turned 18, just four years after the voting age was lowered in the first substantive legislative change enacted by the Whitlam government. And it was when adulthood arrived - and the law required me to vote in the 1977 federal election - that I realised I actually knew very little. About history, politics, music, cars, etc. The simple certainty of youthful me has been eroded ever since. The acquisition of knowledge is like that - the more you know, the more you realise you don't know. Which is why I'm ambivalent about the UK's decision to lower the voting age to 16. I can see both sides of the argument. Sixteen-year-olds can work and pay taxes. And it's their futures that will be affected by government policies. They can already vote for local representatives in Scotland and Wales, but not in England and Northern Ireland. On the other hand, as pointed out by the Tories who oppose the move, they can't drive, buy alcohol, marry or go to war. Nor can they stand as candidates. The law is likely to pass because of Labour's commanding majority, which will no doubt fuel calls for Australia to follow suit. But before we jump on the bandwagon, we should take note of one key difference. In the UK, 16-year-olds will not be compelled to vote. Here, it would be compulsory. In principle, fine. But in reality, a likely very different story. Earlier this year, national curriculum testing revealed knowledge of civics among young Australians was at its lowest level on record. A worrying percentage of Year 10 students struggled with basic concepts such as the three levels of government and the difference between a referendum and a general election. Add to that the large number of voters casting informal ballots at the last election. Gough Whitlam's old seat of Werriwa recorded the highest number of informal votes out of all electorates. We can assume some of those informal votes were intentional, but the vast majority would have been cast in error, meaning more than 17 per cent of voters in the seat denied themselves their democratic right. These were adults. Would tipping younger teenagers into the mix make matters worse? Probably not if civics were drummed into them as it was in the dark ages of my teen years. It might have been dry as dust, but rote learning about Parliament, the three different levels of government and the courts served us as well as mastering the times tables. Of course, back then there was no internet and no social media platforms roiling with disinformation and toxic ideology. There was a manosphere, but it was out in the open, expressed by "rock apes" as they were known, doing Friday night laps of Canberra's Civic centre in hotted-up EH Holdens. If the federal government can come up with an effective under-16 ban on social media, I'll be more comfortable with lowering the voting age. But until that happens, we're safer with the status quo. HAVE YOUR SAY: Should 16-year-olds be given the vote? If so, should such a move be delayed until the under-16 social media ban comes into force? Should we be concerned about the large number of informal votes at this year's election? Do we need more compulsory civics education? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - The Reserve Bank of Australia was blindsided by a surprise jump in unemployment, a read-out of its shock rate-hold meeting has revealed. - Accused pedophile Joshua Dale Brown won't face court again until next year, after a magistrate gave police more time to gather evidence against him. - Australia has decried Israel's "drip feeding of aid and inhumane killing" of civilians in Gaza as pro-Palestine protesters rally in the nation's capital on the first day of Parliament. THEY SAID IT: "Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." - Franklin D. Roosevelt YOU SAID IT: As the cheating CEO and his HR executive have learned, it's foolish to misbehave in public with so many cameras about. Paddy remembers how his late father, a linesman working in Woolloomooloo, was caught after availing himself of a keg that had rolled off a brewery truck: "After a while, a crowd of wharfies, dogmen, sailors and passers-by assembled and started to help drink the keg. Believe it or not, they managed to have what would be called a block party today without Twitter or Instagram. A passing reporter snapped several photos of the afternoon's events and whisked them off to the Daily Telegraph." Paddy's dad was upbraided the next day by his boss. "His boss was furious. He ranted and raved at Dad. After about five minutes, he pointed to a phone box in the background of the photo and asked 'Don, why didn't you ring me? I could have used a beer yesterday!'" "About 20 years ago, there was an incident at the Oz Open tennis in Melbourne on Channel 7, which took the cake," writes Bill. The TV director was bored and had his cameras scanning the punters in the far top seats. Suddenly, there was a quick pan back. Yep - there was a young couple having sex on the top rung. The commentators saw it, made mention, and returned to the contest on the court." Lee writes: "I think the only camera that has 'caught' me is a speed camera sending me a fine for doing 55 in a 50 zone. I do feel very sorry for the families involved. They most likely didn't have a clue, and now the whole world knows. How horrible for them. They must be hurting badly." "People talk about poor judgment - but no one is talking about how wrong it is, in my view, to be publicly outed without consent," writes Mike. "That screen didn't just show faces; it blew up lives. He has two children and she has one child." Sue writes: "Everything is caught on camera, but even people who film everything they can seem to think that they are immune to being caught on camera themselves - until they are, and then they complain about a lack of privacy! Go figure!"
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Australian journalist who was detained in China issues warning
Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who was imprisoned in China for three years, has warned the 'scars' of her detention are still present as she watches Anthony Albanese wooed in China. The Prime Minister has been photographed at tourist spots in the country during his six-day diplomatic tour to continue easing relations between the two nations. This included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China, attending a tennis tournament and visiting a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu. Ms Lei is now questioning whether the government remains 'clear-eyed' amid its newly improved relationship with China. 'I have said I don't want to be the symbol of disengagement, but I am proud to be the reminder of how China really is, not how it portrays itself by hiding everything from Xinjiang's internment camps – where many Australian Uyghurs' family members are still missing – to its brutal arrests of dissidents,' she wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald. 'I'd like to ask the prime minister this: Now that relations are better, is it easier or harder to broach the hard subjects?' Ms Lei was imprisoned by Chinese authorities in 2020 after being accused of 'illegally supplying state secrets overseas', allegations that were unfounded. She spent almost three years imprisoned. It was previously confirmed by Ms Lei that the allegation concerned the sharing of a government briefing, which had been issued to the media under embargo and broken by a matter of minutes. 'At this time two years ago, I was still locked up in a Beijing prison, a television journalist absurdly accused of espionage,' she said. 'Monthly visits by Australian embassy staff were my only hope of finding out what was really happening in the world until concerted diplomatic pressure secured my release.' 'A Chinese saying, 'You forget the pain once the scar heals', comes to mind. But the scars are still there,' she said. Ms Lei likened the way Westerners, including Prime Minister Albanese, behave when visiting China to deep-sea divers who descend beyond 30 meters 'They get high and giggly and may start dancing or taking off their gear. The rush of sensations leads to soundbites about 'dynamism' and 'rapid growth' and 'incredible opportunities',' she said. 'I don't see observations that show an understanding of what makes China tick. 'Australia, nevertheless, may need to consider how much hardball it is willing to play with China,' she said. She also took aim at politicians who might only believe the projected impression China offers to them. 'I can almost hear visiting politicians thinking, 'If only we could pass big projects with China's speed and execute them at its rate!',' she said. 'For every one of China's impressive infrastructure projects or breakthrough technologies, flip it over and look at the price tag. 'Are there worker organizations or lawyers to protect their rights? Without fear of arrest and torture?' 'Are there investigative journalists taking leads and exposing scandals leading to legislative change? How stringent and independently verified are the environmental standards?' Ms Lei highlighted officials of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) who refuse to declare assets or send their family abroad. 'China operates on a 'party first' principle. It is built into every message the citizen receives. Individuals can be easily sacrificed to ensure party longevity,' she said. 'To save the party's face or interests, China has no qualms arresting and torturing innocent individuals and manipulating the narrative. I know it personally.' The final shot is a reference to an incident in June last year when Chinese media officials attempted to block Ms Lei from appearing on camera during a press conference beside China's second-in-command Premier Li Qiang. The whole interaction lasted the duration of the 20-minute press conference. The journalist also opened up about why she thinks she was incarcerated, suggesting it was an 'act of retaliation against then foreign minister Marise Payne'. The former cabinet minister had requested an independent investigation into the cause of the COVID epidemic, including China's management of the initial outbreak. 'What revenge might China take against Australians over the rescinding of its purchase of the Port of Darwin?' Ms Lei said. Her final point in the column, which was published on Friday, was to emphasize that all Australians need to be 'clear-eyed and cool-headed' regarding China. The journalist said the country is divided, with some Australians calling Albanese a 'sell-out' for trading with China while others say the US tariffs have left the country with no choice. 'Both sides have a point,' Ms Lei said. 'It is the responsibility of all of us... Let's not scapegoat our leader when we all benefit from China's money,' she said. 'China loves nothing more than to see us distracted and divided from endless bickering.' 'I am glad the prime minister raised the case of the Australian citizen and democracy activist Yang Hengjun, who remains imprisoned in China, but I'm disappointed that others are not doing more.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted the federal government for comment. The has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. While detained, Ms Lei said she was forced to shove sanitary pads in her shoes due to the inadequate footwear. She was also often pinned to uncomfortable chairs with heavy wooden boards and shares a cramped cell with a single bed and one toilet with three others, forcing the group to take turns sleeping. The mother-of-two told officials her eyesight had deteriorated after spending long hours in her cell and was told it would be a 'hassle' to get her reading glasses.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Australian journalist who locked up in China issues an urgent warning about the Communist country for Anthony Albanese
Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who was imprisoned in China for three years, has warned the 'scars' of her detention are still present as she watches Anthony Albanese wooed in China. The Prime Minister has been photographed at tourist spots in the country during his six-day diplomatic tour to continue easing relations between the two nations. This included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China, attending a tennis tournament and visiting a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu. Ms Lei is now questioning whether the government remains 'clear-eyed' amid its newly improved relationship with China. 'I have said I don't want to be the symbol of disengagement, but I am proud to be the reminder of how China really is, not how it portrays itself by hiding everything from Xinjiang's internment camps – where many Australian Uyghurs' family members are still missing – to its brutal arrests of dissidents,' she wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald. 'I'd like to ask the prime minister this: Now that relations are better, is it easier or harder to broach the hard subjects?' Ms Lei was incarcerated by Chinese authorities in 2020 after being accused of 'illegally supplying state secrets overseas', allegations that were unfounded. Ms Lei previously confirmed the allegation made against her was sharing a government briefing, which had been provided to media under embargo. The embargo was broken by only 'a few minutes'. 'At this time two years ago, I was still locked up in a Beijing prison, a television journalist absurdly accused of espionage,' she said. 'Monthly visits by Australian embassy staff were my only hope of finding out what was really happening in the world until concerted diplomatic pressure secured my release.' 'A Chinese saying, 'You forget the pain once the scar heals', comes to mind. But the scars are still there,' she said. Ms Lei likened the way Westerners, including Prime Minister Albanese, behave when visiting China to deep-sea divers who descend beyond 30 metres 'They get high and giggly and may start dancing or taking off their gear. The rush of sensations leads to soundbites about 'dynamism' and 'rapid growth' and 'incredible opportunities',' she said. 'I don't see observations that show an understanding of what makes China tick. 'Australia, nevertheless, may need to consider how much hardball it is willing to play with China,' she said. She also took aim at politicians who might only believe the projected impression China offers to them. 'I can almost hear visiting politicians thinking, 'If only we could pass big projects with China's speed and execute them at its rate!',' she said. 'For every one of China's impressive infrastructure projects or breakthrough technologies, flip it over and look at the price tag. 'Are there worker organisations or lawyers to protect their rights? Without fear of arrest and torture?' 'Are there investigative journalists taking leads and exposing scandals leading to legislative change? How stringent and independently verified are the environmental standards?' Ms Lei highlighted officials of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) who refuse to declare assets or send their family abroad. 'China operates on a 'party first' principle. It is built into every message the citizen receives. Individuals can be easily sacrificed to ensure party longevity,' she said. 'To save the party's face or interests, China has no qualms arresting and torturing innocent individuals and manipulating the narrative. I know it personally.' The final shot is a reference to an incident in June last year when Chinese media officials attempted to block Ms Lei from appearing on camera during a press conference beside China's second-in-command Premier Li Qiang. The whole interaction lasted the duration of the 20-minute press conference. The journalist also opened up about why she thinks she was incarcerated, suggesting it was an 'act of retaliation against then foreign minister Marise Payne'. The former cabinet minister had requested an independent investigation into the cause of the COVID epidemic, including China's management of the initial outbreak. 'What revenge might China take against Australians over the rescinding of its purchase of the Port of Darwin?' Ms Lei said. Her final point in the column, which was published on Friday, was to emphasise that all Australians need to be 'clear-eyed and cool-headed' regarding China. The journalist said the country is divided, with some Australians calling Albanese a 'sell-out' for trading with China while others say the US tariffs have left the country with no choice. 'Both sides have a point,' Ms Lei said. 'It is the responsibility of all of us... Let's not scapegoat our leader when we all benefit from China's money,' she said. 'China loves nothing more than to see us distracted and divided from endless bickering.' 'I am glad the prime minister raised the case of the Australian citizen and democracy activist Yang Hengjun, who remains imprisoned in China, but I'm disappointed that others are not doing more.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted the federal government for comment. The has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. While detained, Ms Lei said she was forced to shove sanitary pads in her shoes due to the inadequate footwear. She was also often pinned to uncomfortable chairs with heavy wooden boards and shares a cramped cell with a single bed and one toilet with three others, forcing the group to take turns sleeping. The mother-of-two told officials her eyesight had deteriorated after spending long hours in her cell and was told it would be a 'hassle' to get her reading glasses.
The Advertiser
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
'Respect never cost anything': PM defends China outcome
Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said. Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said. Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said. Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said.
