Senator Penny Wong Speaks for Peace in a Time of Disruption

Senator Penny Wong. (Image: via flickr (Image: Fiona Henderson via flickr CC BY 2.0 )

Senator Penny Wong is Australia’s Opposition Leader in the Senate and Labor’s Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs. This position gives her the opportunity to show her good international citizenship by supporting peace, prosperity, and stability through a commitment to the rules-based international order.

Penny Wong lived in Kota Kinabalu, and her family migrated to Australia when she was 8 years old. Since then, Penny has achieved greatness, being elected as Leader of the Government in the Senate in 2013. With a change of government in 2013, she became the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, becoming the first woman to hold these positions in the Australian parliament.

On January 24, 2018, Senator Penny Wong delivered a speech, Peace and Prosperity in a Time of Disruption, to the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy is an independent postgraduate school of the National University of Singapore that is named after the first Prime Minister of Singapore. Near the start of her speech, she said:

Penny Wong spoke about topics that showed her international citizenship knowledge from living in Asian and Australian cultures. She covered global problems and situations to do with trade and the association of countries, both small and big. This gave her audience an awareness that perhaps may contribute to creating a more peaceful and prosperous worldwide community.

Senator Penny Wong and Laura Tingle at the Crawford Forum 2017.
Senator Penny Wong and Laura Tingle at the Crawford Forum 2017. (Image: Crawford Forum via flickr CC BY 2.0 )

Senator Penny Wong’s insights into China

Some topics raised in her speech were about ASEAN, the International rules based-system, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Australian Labor Party. She also added her insights on U.S. President Trump’s views and actions, and her knowledge of China’s military, trade, and involvement in the worldwide community:

This was an inspiring speech that raised awareness with an explanation from many angles, and also gave solutions that the Australian Labor Party will promote if they are voted into power in the next election. Her speech concluded with more of an understanding of activities, including a suggestion that communicating with China, Japan, Russia, and the U.S. would be of great benefit, rather than just talking about them.

Senator Penny Wong (Image: Crawford Forum via flickr CC BY 2.0 )
Senator Penny Wong (Image: Crawford Forum via flickr CC BY 2.0 )

Recently, an interview with Kieran Gilbert from Sky News gave Senator Penny Wong an opportunity to talk more about ASEAN, China relations, defense, foreign interference laws, Labor’s positive plan for Australia, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the U.S. Defense strategy:

Gilbert: “Is it all about China? This sort of stepped up effort in terms of foreign interference.”

Penny Wong:

Penny Wong explains to Kieran Gilbert that she is a member of the committee that looks at all legislation dealing with national security matters. Her view of the current Liberal Party leadership’s way of communicating with the Chinese Government was also expressed:

Penny Wong agrees with current the Liberal Government that China and other countries are not a threat to Australia, except for North Korea, and believes constructive relationships should be made with those nations:

Senator Penny Wong’s entire speech can be read at pennywong.com.au

The entire Sky News interview can be read at pennywong.com.au

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