Hon Robin Scott asked the Minister for Regional Development about a conversation with China's Consul General regarding trade relations and the barley dispute. The Minister confirmed the conversation, focusing on barley and China's understanding of WA's constructive relationship efforts.

AnsweredQoN 518Legislative Council
Asked
21 May 2020
Portfolio
Regional Development

QuestionView source ↗

CHINA–AUSTRALIA
TRADE RELATIONS — CONSUL GENERAL DONG
518. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the Minister for Regional Development:
I
refer to yesterday's report that Premier McGowan had asked the Minister
for Regional Development to speak to China's Consul General,
Madam Dong, about China's dispute with Australia and said he would not
call Madam Dong himself so he would not be accused of meddling in foreign
affairs.
(1) Is the report true and did the
minister speak with Consul General Dong?
(2) If so, what was said in that
conversation?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for the question—sort
of. I continue to be worried, generally, about the comments he makes.
Hon Robin Scott : Madam
President!
Withdrawal of Remark
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN : Sorry, I withdraw that.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Hon ALANNAH
MacTIERNAN : The answer is as follows.
(1) I certainly
did speak with Madam Dong.
(2) I spoke to her around the issue of barley, as we
have done so previously. She confirmed that she and her government absolutely
understood that the McGowan government had always made great efforts to ensure
that there was a very constructive relationship. She said that she thought that
this was really now very much an issue that focused around the federal
government. Madam Dong also made various comments, I think, about her personal
circumstances, which I do not propose to share with the honourable member.

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