Australia in a 'high stakes' position with communist China

Labor Senate leader Penny Wong has called for Foreign Minister Marise Payne to "lead the discussion" on the China debate and says it would be "a good thing" to hear less from George Christensen, Andrew Hastie and other backbenchers on the issue. The Morrison government was blindsided on Tuesday when China suspended exports from four Australian abattoirs - three in Queensland and one in New South Wales. The suspension came just days after China announced it would level tariffs on Australian barely produces amid an anti-dumping investigation. Tensions have been raised between the two nations following Australia's push for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. "We obviously have some challenges in the trading relationship," Ms Wong told Sky News host Kieran Gilbert. She said the discussion should be led by the responsible ministers and Prime Minister Scott Morrison, She said the "stakes are high" with Australia's relationship with the communist nation and in turn Ms Payne must "frame the debate" on the issue. "It's her job to explain Australia to the world and the world to Australia ... it's her job with the prime minister, primarily, to manage the China relationship". "A little more Marise Payne, a little less George Christensen, Andrew Hastie and other backbenchers in defining and leading the discussion about the China relationship, would be a good thing," she said. Image: Getty