'Cheap partisan shots' taken at foreign minister over Chinese trade tension

Liberal MP Tim Wilson says accusations that Foreign Minister Marise Payne is staying in the background while trade tensions continue to escalate with China are “cheap partisan shots that have no real purpose”. Mr Wilson told Sky News the foreign minister has been a strong presence throughout the coronavirus pandemic as she worked to bring Australians home and put the nation in the best position to handle the virus. “Press conferences are for when you have something to announce; if they want a running commentary versus actually doing the job of the foreign minister, if they want and show and not substance then you follow the Labor line,” he said. Mr Wilson defended Liberal MPs who were accused of attempting to dictate the government’s relationship with China by pushing to remain firm against economic coercion. “People are entitled to have their views and express them because there are people who legitimately have a concern about making sure that our relationship with China is based on mutual respect and mutual interest,” he said. Image: AP