‘Rhetorical overdrive’: Turnbull and Rudd warn Coalition not to play politics with China relationship

Former prime ministers argue unnecessary attacks on Beijing could harm Chinese Australians and undermine multicultural society

Former Australian prime ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Kevin Rudd have urged the federal government not to ramp up rhetoric against China for domestic political purposes, arguing it could harm social cohesion.

Turnbull said he worried that some of the political rhetoric, if played for the local rightwing media peanut gallery, can actually undermine something that is very precious, which is the success of our multicultural society".