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‘Perhaps he has something to hide’: Richard Marles’ Beijing speech disappears from website

Link [2022-02-14 05:13:58]

Liberal Senator James Paterson says in “many instances” Labor has taken political advantage from the deteriorating relationship with China – and suggests Deputy Opposition Leader Richard Marles may have “something to hide”. “For example, on Insiders last year, Richard Marles said that there would be closer relations between China and Australia under the Labor Party because they would do diplomacy better,” Senator Paterson told Sky News Australia. “He also delivered a speech, in September 2019 in Beijing, where he promised closer military ties between the People’s Liberation Army and the Australian Defence Force. “That speech curiously is no longer present on his website, I’m not sure why, a website that otherwise very well documents his speeches, his interviews, his media releases.” Senator Paterson suggested the absence of Richard Marles’ Beijing speech may be a result of “embarrassment” or “perhaps he has something to hide”. His remarks come after the nation's top intelligence agency warned Australians who have sensitive information online that they may be targeted by foreign spies.