Australia's Deputy Opposition leader raises Stern Hu case in Beijing
Updated
Australia's Deputy Opposition Leader and Foreign Affairs spokeswoman, Julie Bishop, says she's raised her concerns about the Stern Hu case directly with Chinese Government officials.
Stern Hu is an Australian executive with the mining concern Rio Tinto, who's been detained since July as Chinese authorities investigate allegations he stole commercial secrets.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Julie Bishop, Australian Opposition leader and Foreign Affairs spokeswoman
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BISHOP: I was invited by the Chinese government for an official visit to Beijing, and I met with Chinese officials, particularly in foreign affairs and had very productive meetings with for example the most senior foreign policy representative, State Councillor Dai (Bingguo ) as well as with various vice ministers, Communist Party officials and also with our Australian ambassador in Beijing. And while we discussed a whole range of issues, I also sought an update on Stern Hu. I was assured that he was being well treated, he had regular access to consular officials, he has lawyers acting for him, and I also checked that with the Australian ambassador and that was his view as well. They are seeing him on a regular basis and he does have lawyers representing him in this case. There has been a delay in the bringing of the actual trial date, but I reiterated our call for the legal proceedings to be expedited and to be resolved as soon as possible.
LAM: Did you make any other intercession on Stern Hu's behalf?
BISHOP: I spoke at length about his current situation, about the circumstances surrounding the case, and I was assured that the legal process will be undertaken and they respected my call for an expedited hearing and indicated that they understood that it was in everybody's interest that this matter be resolved as soon as possible.
LAM: And Julie Bishop there is coverage in this morning's Australian newspaper that some of China's largest state owned enterprises wish to invest heavily in Australia, indeed with plans to develop projects worth billions of dollars. Do you think bureaucrats on both sides are ready for such an investment surge?
BISHOP: We discussed the bilateral relationship which is obviously heavily based on trade and investment, and we did discuss foreign investment, particularly in Western Australia at some length. For example, the Chinese officials were keen to talk about the opportunities in Western Australia and also Australia's overall attitude towards foreign investment. We discussed the opportunity for the free trade agreement that is currently under discussion to better reflect the foreign investment framework between Australia and China. They see that as an opportunity to clarify some of the concerns that they have about the opaque nature as they see it of our foreign investment rules.
LAM: Indeed is that bilateral relationship between China and Australia confident and mature enough for such huge investments?
BISHOP: I believe that we have a way to go but there is certainly a very strong foundation. It was apparent that while the Chinese government acknowledged there could be difficulties between the Australian government and the Chinese government from time to time and the past six months has been difficult, in the long term the relationship is strong and mature, particularly because of our common economic and strategic interests. I indicated that we welcome direct foreign investment as Australia has over many decades, and that we would continue to do so from China. I think there are areas where we need to better clarify our foreign investment rules though.
LAM: Just briefly Julie Bishop on a separate issue what's your view on the Sri Lankan asylum seekers who refuse to disembark from the Oceanic Viking off the Indonesian coast? Do you think they should be taken to Christmas Island that has been suggested?
BISHOP: Well this is a terrible situation that has arisen because of the Rudd government's failure in maintaining strong border protection policies. The government changed the laws in August 2008 and sent a message to the people smuggling trade that Australia was a soft target.
LAM: I'm sorry to interrupt but do you think they should be left to languish on the vessel or be taken straight away by Australia to Christmas Island?
BISHOP: Well I'm not privy to the discussions that the Australian Prime Minister had with the Indonesian Prime Minister, nor am I privy to any of the security or intelligence reports.
LAM: Do you have any suggestions for instance on what to do about them?
BISHOP: Our concern has always been that Mr Rudd said that he had a solution. He had an agreement with the Indonesian President. I'm not aware of the details; he's not ever been forthcoming about specific details, and whether they discussed what would occur if the asylum seekers refused to disembark. Now surely that must have been part of the discussions between the Indonesian government and the Australian government. This would be perhaps one of the inevitable consequences of diverting the boat to Indonesian waters and into an Indonesian port, so I would be very keen to learn what discussions the Australian government had with the Indonesian government about the possible consequences of sending the ship to an Indonesian port. The government hasn't made details of those discussions public and I think that's necessary for us to understand the current situation.
LAM: And finally Julie Bishop you're in South Korea now, what's the agenda for you in Seoul?
BISHOP: I am attending an Australia-Korea leadership dialogue, I'm speaking about Australian Korean security issues. Obviously the focus will be on North Korea, in fact in the last week I have had high level meetings in Japan, China and South Korea, and so the topic will be North Korea. There is clearly a deep commitment on the part of all three countries to avoid a military confrontation with North Korea, and there is some optimism that with the possibility of the United States and North Korea having a bilateral dialogue that the six-party talks will resume. And of course it is in Australia's national interest that there be stability on the Korean peninsula.
