China’s state media has reportedly condemned the leadership crisis engulfing Australia, describing the government as one that “has collapsed” and mocking Liberal leadership candidate Peter Dutton as an imitation of Trump.
The Global Times used its Chinese-language editorial to deride the Liberal party leadership contest, profiling Dutton as a prospective prime minister.
"This Dutton can be called a low version of [US President Donald] Trump," the newspaper said in a translation provided by the Australian Financial Review.
The remarks reportedly followed mention of Mr Dutton’s hardline policies on asylum seekers, his decision to boycott the 2008 apology to the Stolen Generations, and his remarks on so-called African gangs in Melbourne.
"We can imagine the consequences he will bring to Australia if he is in charge of the country. This is the most embarrassing situation in Australian politics."
The editorial was made available on its Chinese-language platforms.
It posted another editorial on its English-language website rebuking Turnbull government’s move to ban Huawei from supplying telecommunications equipment in Australia.
The decision was described as “huge loss for Australia’s 5G development”, and included quotes from analysts who called it a “political move”.
While not an official government website, the Global Times is often used to voice populist views on the China mainland that would not be stated on official channels.
Meanwhile, an official newspaper of the Communist party, the People’s Daily, published an article on its Chinese-language website also criticising the Turnbull government’s handling of the Huawei issue.
The newspaper said the Turnbull government is “playing themselves to death”, the Australian newspaper reported.
The report said the People's Daily had characterised the Liberal party turmoil as a situation where a “foreign government which annoys China from time to time has collapsed”.
The official Communist Party newspaper also reportedly said it was "sick and disgusted" over claims that China was infiltrating Australia.
