Former Labor leader Kevin Rudd has accused members of the Liberal party of whipping up national hysteria over China.
He said in an interview with Sky News' David Speers at the National Press Club on Friday the Liberal party has a history of using core questions of foreign policy for domestic political gain or internal party management.
He launched into Liberal backbencher Andrew Hastie - who chairs the parliament's intelligence and security committee - for his recent comments on Australia's relationship with China, where he compared to the rise of the Asian giant to that of Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
"If I look at young Hastie, who I have never met in my life ... I'm always cautious about post-pubescent politicians ... or pre-pubescent in his case, I'm not sure, the best way to make a name for yourself within the raging beast of Australian conservatism is to whack the Chinese on the head," Mr Rudd said.
He also accused former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull of going "all hairy-chested" on China - a path which Mr Hastie had followed.
"There is a more balanced and rational way through managing what is a difficult relationship , a complex relationship, rather than turning it into a page one headline," he said.
He believes Scott Morrison understands the need to develop a balanced relationship with China.
"There are number of things he has said, a number of things that he has done, which to me suggests that is what he is trying to do," Mr Rudd said.
"Consistent with that, he is seeking also to bolster Australian bilateral relationships in southeast Asia."
Mr Morrison is currently on an official visit to Vietnam.
Australian Associated Press
