Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has broken his silence, vehemently defending his controversial engagements with China and offering a conspicuously muted response on Russian President Vladimir Putin. The remarks, made during a rare public interview, have ignited a political firestorm and drawn fierce condemnation from across the political spectrum.
Andrews staunchly justified his signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) agreement with Beijing, a deal ultimately torn up by the federal government on national security grounds. He framed the partnership as a straightforward endeavour to create jobs and boost the Victorian economy, dismissing the widespread security concerns that surrounded it.
A Murky Stance on Putin
The ex-premier's comments on Vladimir Putin proved even more incendiary. When pressed, Andrews refused to directly condemn the Russian leader for his actions in Ukraine, offering a cryptic non-answer that has been labelled as appeasement by his critics.
This ambiguous stance has raised alarm bells among security experts and political opponents, who question the judgement of a former leader appearing to equivocate on a clear-cut issue of international aggression.
The Shadow of a 'Training Centre' Deal
Further fuelling the controversy are revelations about a mysterious $3 million deal between the Victorian government and a Chinese entity linked to the Chinese Communist Party for a 'training centre'. The project, signed during Andrews' final days in office, has been criticised for its lack of transparency and unclear benefits for Victorians.
Opposition leaders have seized on the interview, demanding a full accounting of Andrews' dealings with Beijing and questioning whether his actions were ever truly in the national interest. The scandal continues to cast a long shadow over his political legacy and poses ongoing questions about foreign influence in Australian politics.
