Yet another secret Belt and Road deal between the Andrews Labor Government and the Chinese Communist Government has been revealed; one that threatens Victorian jobs.
The previously hidden March 2017 Memorandum of Understanding promises the Chinese Government and Chinese firms cooperation in relation to “project selection criteria, market access, tendering process…” on infrastructure projects.
These commitments bring into question the tendering for multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects, including the North East Link and the Suburban Rail Loop.
Member for Malvern, Michael O’Brien MP has again called on the Andrews Government to dump this controversial agreement.
“This is an agreement that has been shrouded in secrecy for years. Now we know why.
“Bidders for major construction projects in Victoria need to know there is a level playing field, not a set of rules written in Beijing.
“Under Labor, Chinese government-owned companies are already building high-capacity trains, the Metro Tunnel and removing level crossings.
“How has this Belt and Road deal influenced the success of Beijing-backed businesses to secure multi-billion dollar infrastructure deals?
“I was the first political leader in Australia to call out Belt and Road as a bad deal: bad for jobs, bad for security and bad for our sovereignty.
“In May last year, as Liberal Leader, I committed to tearing up Labor’s Belt and Road deals.
“Victorian jobs must come first and that’s why Belt and Road must be cancelled.”
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