Victoria, Servant of China By James Reed
While the state of Victoria is locking us down, having apparently thrown away the key, there are dark secrets being revealed about secret deals to help China win major state projects. I do not know why we bother having a so-called “Australian” government at all, when so much of the place now is just CCP. But, I suppose, that is the plan, isn’t it?
“Victoria agreed to share information and help promote Chinese companies to win work in major state projects under a deal it has kept secret since 2017.
The Andrews government was on Monday forced to release the memorandum of understanding after being compelled by the state parliament.
Signed between the Premier’s department and China’s National Development and Reform Commission in March 2017, the state previously refused to release it to the public.
But a motion passed in the upper house meant it was tabled for public view after it had been reviewed.
Earlier this year, the deal was examined by the Commonwealth under new laws which gave it the power to rip up the contentious Belt and Road deal between China and Victoria.
But it currently remains in place to encourage public-private partnerships from companies in both countries, although the agreements within it are not legally binding.
The documents show the Andrews government offered support on tendering processes, tax policies, selection criteria, dispute resolution and market access as part of the agreement.
It also agrees on the “Promotion of quality projects in infrastructure and utilities fields to strengthen the business links between the two countries”.
One section of the deal agrees on the “promotion of quality projects in infrastructure and utilities fields to strengthen the business links between the two countries”.
A later section also spells out that both sides would share information to encourage companies from both countries to invest in large state projects.
Other “areas of co-operation” included finding improvements in how projects were delivered to make Chinese cities more liveable.
This extended to hospitals, water supply, education and training.
A Department of Premier and Cabinet spokeswoman said the MOU was signed to “promote sustainable social and economic development”.
“It does not contain commitments on any specific commercial projects or deals,” she said.
“The Victorian government is continuing to work closely with a broad range of overseas partners to deliver jobs, trade and economic opportunities for Victoria to strengthen our economic recovery.”
Premier Daniel Andrews has made no secret of his desire for Chinese firms to invest in major projects and visited Beijing in 2019 to deepen ties between companies and the state.
Shadow Treasurer David Davis called for more clarity about the agreement.
“What has been secret for four years and why have they so bitterly fought against its release?” he said.
“They need to come clean about what it entails.”
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