Australian Resources Minister calls on Opposition Leader to stop foreign investment critics

Source:Xinhua Published: 2012-9-25 11:04:33

Australian Resources Minister Martin Ferguson on Tuesday asked Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to stop coalition critics of foreign investment in Australia, saying mixed messages do not help the country.

After addressing the China Business Forum in Sydney on Tuesday, Ferguson told reporters that negative messages discouraged investors.

"We do not need any mixed messages internationally. It is the responsibility of the leader of the opposition to sort out the opposition," he said.

Coalition frontbencher Barnaby Joyce, who opposed the proposed sale of Australia's largest cotton grower, Cubbie Station, to a Chinese company, has recently conflicted with senior Liberals over foreign investment policy.

Ferguson said the country's politicians "should all be singing off the same song sheet" .

"You expect these comments from the likes of the Greens, minor political parties, (but) not from a party such as the coalition that actually desires to be the alternative government in Australia," Ferguson said.

"Comments from people like Barnaby Joyce do not help Australia internationally in very important markets such as China."

Posted in: Asia-Pacific

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