Daniel Andrews has posed alongside North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un and Russian president Vladimir Putin at a military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.
The former Victorian Labor premier stood several rows behind the North Korean semi-recluse (who is facing complaints of alleged crimes against humanity) during the photo opportunity for of leaders from the so-called “the axis of upheaval”.
In the photo, distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Putin stands to Chinese president Xi Jinping’s right, with Jong-un to Xi’s left, and Xi’s wife Peng Liyuan in between.
The group has assembled to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war.
Former Labor NSW premier and federal foreign affairs minister Bob Carr is in Beijing, but chose not to go to the “society-style” military parade, according to Nine newspapers. He has other events later in the day, and is addressing two think tanks.
China is using the occasion to show off its military might, reportedly including drone displays, laser weapons, stealth fighters, advanced precision warfare equipment, helicopters, and armoured vehicles.
While China also displays its nuclear ballistic missiles, Ukraine is braced for more Russian missile and drone attacks, and North Korea is helping Russia out.
Shadow home affairs minister Andrew Hastie called it a “parade for dictators”, and criticised Carr’s and Andrews’ attendance.
“It’s a celebration of the Chinese communist party … I look forward to seeing them clap like seals as the missiles roll by,” he said.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley said they needed to explain their presence at a military parade with Vladimir Putin and “what that actually tells the world”.
Victorian government minister, Vicki Ward, said Andrews had made the choice “in his private capacity”, as a “private individual”, and that it was important for Australia to maintain “good, healthy relationships with those countries that are in our region”.
No major western leaders are attending. Prime minister Anthony Albanese was asked on Wednesday morning why Andrews was the most senior representative at the parade, and why Australia was only sending junior diplomats.
“Well, we’re sending a diplomat. We’ll be there,” Albanese said.
The Australian reported that Scott Dewar, Australia’s ambassador to China would be out of the country.
Earlier, Andrews was filmed shaking Xi’s hand. Albanese said Andrews was not meeting with Putin or Jong-un.
Guardian Australia has contacted Andrews for comment.
He left parliament in 2023. In 2024, he set up two companies, Glencairn Street Pty Ltd and Wedgetail Partners Pty Ltd, and was appointed chair of the board of youth mental health centre Orygen.
Carr wrote in the Nine newspapers this week that he was travelling to Beijing at his own expense for reasons including that, during the second world war, Chinese armies had “kept one million Japanese troops tied down”, which “made it impossible for the Japanese navy in 1942 to win its case for an invasion of Australia”.
With Benita Kolovos
