Overview

• Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews was photographed at a Beijing WWII commemoration and military parade alongside Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, while fellow ex-premier Bob Carr skipped the parade events.
• Andrews issued a written statement saying engagement with China serves Australia’s economic interests, stressing he condemns Putin’s war in Ukraine, criticises Iran’s actions, and was previously banned from entering Russia.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the federal government deliberately sent no senior representative and noted he is not responsible for private citizens’ choices, reiterating that everyone should comply with the law.
• Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll said the photo was “not worth it,” contrasting with Premier Jacinta Allan’s warmer tone toward Andrews’ standing in China, as Coalition figures and some Labor voices questioned his judgment.
• New reporting detailed Andrews’ recent meetings with major Chinese state-linked firms, his unlisted status on the foreign influence register, and analysts’ warnings that the parade image carries propaganda risks even as it could boost his business profile.