Senator James Paterson is “very concerned” about Labor’s stance on China amid conflicting opinions from its Deputy Leader. 

Richard Marles is drawing criticism for past comments that dismissed concerns about China’s influence in the Pacific.

He claimed in a 2019 speech at Beijing Foreign Studies University that China providing developmental assistance in the Pacific “was and has been a good thing”.

It contradicts Labor Leader Anthony Albanese’s repeated criticism of the Morrison government’s inability to stop a security pact between China and the Solomon Islands.

Mr Paterson told Ray Hadley Labor needs to explain why he is “saying one thing in China and a different thing in Australia”.

“They need to work out what their real position is.”

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