Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has called for Australia to play a more assertive role in its alliance with the United States, accusing Prime Minister Scott Morrison of pandering to departing US President Donald Trump.
Key points:
- Mr Albanese will urge the US to pick its battles with China
- He’ll accuse Mr Morrison of cosying up too closely to Mr Trump
- The Labor leader will affirm the ALP’s faith in the US alliance
Both sides of politics have been grappling with the full implications of the political chaos in the US in the wake of the January 6 riots at the Capitol.
In a major foreign policy speech timed to coincide with Joe Biden’s inauguration as US President, Mr Albanese will call on the new administration to make a “greater, more strategic” effort to strengthen US influence in South-East Asia.
He will urge the US to pick its battles with China, saying both great powers need to compete without forcing smaller countries to take sides or stoking the risk of conflict.
And he’ll accuse Mr Morrison of cosying up too closely to Mr Trump, warning Australia should not stay mute if democratic norms are assaulted in the US.
Labor has repeatedly attacked Mr Morrison’s initial response to the events of January 6.
Mr Morrison called the violence “distressing” and condemned those who stormed the Capitol but did not directly criticise Mr Trump for inciting the crowd.