Barnaby Joyce says the “dangerous” air stunt in China that threatened the safety of nine Australian soldiers and women could have had disastrous consequences.
The spokesman for the Coalition for Veterans Affairs issued a stern warning as China’s position on the world stage remains entrenched.
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The Chinese military fighter jet flew dangerously close to a RAAF plane over the South China Sea in late May.
The Chinese plane fired flares, cut off the RAAF plane and flew dangerously close to the front of the Australian plane.
China released small pieces of aluminum during the process, some of which had been ingested into the engine of the RAAF P-8 aircraft.
Joyce, who was appointed to the shadow cabinet over the weekend, said the current circumstances were alarming.
Camera icon. A Poseidon RAAF P-8A aircraft was on the receiving end of a “dangerous” maneuver by Chinese aircraft last month. Credit: supplied
“Having the opportunity to care for the people who care for our nation is vital, especially in light of the circumstances we see now,” he told Channel 7.
“If that P-8 that had been basically carbon-aluminum from a Chinese fighter jet … If it had crashed, there would now be nine dead Australian soldiers and this conversation would not be happening, because things it would have taken a while. Incredible turn for the worse.
“I’ve always said we have to be as strong as possible as soon as possible.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is currently in Indonesia, said he was “concerned about the incident”.
“That wasn’t safe,” he said.
Camera Icon Coalition Veterans Affairs spokesman Barnaby Joyce said the incident could have had incredibly disastrous consequences. NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor Credit: NCA NewsWire
NDIS and Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said Monday morning that Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong were doing their best to keep the region safe.
“It’s a dangerous action … risky,” Shorten told Nine Network.
“The RAAF crew is highly professional and they have kept their planes safe. But it is a reminder of the important work that … everyone is doing in our region to make sure China gets the message that Australia is ready.
“China says they want to get along better with Australia and then make hasty and provocative gestures.
“As our government has said, we will not take a step back to maintain our rights internationally.
“We are doing exactly the right thing … stepping back and saying ‘this is not enabled’.
Camera icon Acting Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles has said Australia would not step down under threats from China. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia
On Sunday, Defense Minister and Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said China’s actions would not deter Australia from continuing its legal surveillance of the South China Sea.
“We have made representations to the Chinese government, but in the future we will not be deterred from participating in the activities to which we are entitled under international law,” he said.
He also accused China of violating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.