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Andrew Bolt: NZ has left Five Eyes 'in the lurch' over China

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 22 Apr 2021, 5:40PM
Andrew Bolt hosts The Bolt Report on Sky News. (Image / Sky News Australia)
Andrew Bolt hosts The Bolt Report on Sky News. (Image / Sky News Australia)

Andrew Bolt: NZ has left Five Eyes 'in the lurch' over China

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 22 Apr 2021, 5:40PM

Australia doesn't seem to have a problem with New Zealand standing aside from the Five Eyes security alliance when it comes to criticising China.

The Foreign Ministers from both countries have met in Wellington this afternoon and Australia's Marise Payne says each country is a proud, sovereign nation with independently held views.

Payne says countries will choose to address issues of concern in whichever forum they themselves determine is appropriate, consistent with their own national interest.

However, Sky News host Andrew Bolt told Heather du Plessis-Allan is not happy with the comments

He says that China has been belting Australia around for standing up over human rights and Hong Kong, amongst other issues.

It has made New Zealand an example in the other direction, by doing things like signing an increased free trade deal. 

"Your Government has told us to kow-tow more, to show China more respect, and it's dividing our united front against a mighty and dangerous superpower."

In fact, it got to the poiint that your Foreign Minister said the Five Eyes security arrangement shouldn't be used to criticise Australia."

He says that New Zealand is leaving their partners "in the lurch" by picking up the "easy good doggy biscuits" from China. 

Bolt says that China is the most dangerous military threat in the world - particularly in the region.

Putting the trade deal first means that the "fight for freedom" is left to other countries to shoulder the burden. 

"China is actually citing New Zealand as an example of other countries to follow." 

Bolt pushed back against du Plessis-Allan's suggestion that Australia is a lap dog to the US in the same way New Zealand is to China. 

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