Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews' appearance at a military parade in China has drawn both praise and condemnation from his former political peers.
His controversial attendance has since directed attention to a resurfaced state media interview he took part in earlier this year.
Andrews was filmed for an interview with CGTN, an English-language state-run news channel in based Beijing, in March.
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CGTN described the ex-premier as a "reformer who spearheaded Victoria's shift away from fossil fuels".
Andrews used the interview to tout his plan to strengthen trade ties between Australia and China and said he was "honoured to be an old friend of the Chinese people".
"I have always been a supporter of a close relationship between China and not just Victoria, but Australia more broadly," Andrews said.
"We have a lot to learn from each other, we have a lot to benefit – a lot of win-win and mutual benefit that can come from a stronger partnership."
Andrews then praised China for progress in renewable energy and claimed it deserved more global recognition
He then credited Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for "normalising and stabilising" the Australia-China relationship.
Andrews has been a frequent visitor to China.
During his time as premier, he flew there for a state visit seven times.
He was also the first leader of an Australian government to visit China after the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, his latest visit has become a key point of contention.
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Andrews and former foreign minister and NSW premier Bob Carr both attended an event hosted by Xi to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Japan in WWII.
However, Andrews was the only one of the pair to remain in attendance for a massive military parade that has been widely interpreted as a Chinese government challenge to the US and the West more broadly.
In a statement defending his latest visit, Andrews said he was invited to Beijing for a chance to "meet and engage with regional leaders".
He also confirmed they shared an official photograph.
"I've said for years that a constructive relationship with China – our largest trading partner – is in Australia's national interest and hundreds of thousands of Australian jobs depend on it. That hasn't changed," Andrews said.
"And just so there's no confusion – I have condemned Putin and his illegal war in Ukraine from day one.
"That's why he banned me from Russia last year.
"Further, my support for Israel and Australia's Jewish community has been outspoken and unwavering, and I unequivocally condemn Iran for its attacks on Australia, Israel and elsewhere around the world."
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the presence of her predecessor alongside world leaders, including North Korea's Kim Jong-un and Russia's Vladimir Putin was good for the state.
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Allan took a different stance on Andrews' attendance.
"It is good for Victoria that Daniel Andrews is held in such high regard by the people of China," she said.
"Victoria is an old friend of China and these connections are so valuable for our state.
"I'm looking forward to building on this connection by leading a trade mission to China this month where I'll meet with business, government, educators, and communities and launch Victoria's new China strategy."
Liberal Senator Jane Hume said Andrews' decision to do so displayed an "extraordinary lack of judgement".
"It was clearly a sign of military might, a display of military might quite threatening in its intentions," Hume said on Today.
"And there (Andrews) was, standing alongside some of the most unsavoury characters from right around the world."
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Carr himself essayed a subtle swipe at Andrews, saying that for himself, he had "made it clear" to the Chinese ambassador he hadn't attended the event for the parade.
"Do you think that I was excited by the idea of watching weapons? I certainly would have avoided them," he said.
China expert Neil Thomas, from the Asia Centre, said Andrews' presence was "not a great message".
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He pointed out that Putin, Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko, and Myanmar military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, all of whom were also at the parade, had been sanctioned by the Australian government.
"I think it's always good for former high-profile politicians to consult with DFAT, with the other relevant people in the Australian government, on these kind of trips," Thomas said.
"Of course, you know, they are out of office. They can make their own decisions.
"But I think just plugging into Australia's diplomatic apparatus to let people know and give them a heads up, rather than having them find out through Chinese government announcements, is probably a better way to go about doing things."
Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy told Today Andrews' decision was that of a "private indivdual".
"I know there's much commentary across the country in regards to that photo … but at the end of the day, it was a decision that Dan Andrews wanted to make," she said.
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