Treasurer takes a swipe at federal Liberal counterparts over dealings with China, blaming ‘inelegant interventions’ for loss of trade in barley and meat.

The Victorian Labor government has taken a swipe at its federal Liberal counterparts over their dealings with China in the COVID-19 crisis, blaming inelegant interventions for this week’s loss of trade in barley and meat.
Treasurer Tim Pallas backed pursuit of an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus on Wednesday but warned that the “vilification” of China would be “dangerous, damaging and irresponsible”.
Tim Pallas says the government has no intention of ending Belt and Road links with China.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
Fronting the inquiry by Parliament’s public accounts and estimates committee into the states response to the COVID-19 crisis, Mr Pallas said Victoria had no intention of pausing its infrastructure agreement with China under the controversial Belt-and-Road initiative.
Mr Pallas was quizzed about the decision to open up a $24 billion line of credit to fund extra spending required by the emergency.