Belt and Road: Scott Morrison tears up China agreement
By: Samantha Maiden
21 April 2021
Scott Morrison has torn up China’s controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) deal with Victoria as “inconsistent with Australia’s foreign policy” in a move that threatens to inflame diplomatic tensions.
Deploying Australia’s powerful new veto powers under legislation passed last year for the first time, the Morrison Government has taken decisive action to end the deal it warned was against Australia’s interests.
“I consider these four arrangements to be inconsistent with Australia’s foreign policy or adverse to our foreign relations in line with the relevant test in Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020,’’ Foreign Minister Marise Payne said.
