Foreign Minister Marise Payne says the continued lack of transparency in the trial of detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei in Beijing is very concerning.

Yesterday, Australia’s ambassador to China Graham Fletcher, was barred from entering the trial by Chinese officials.

Lei, a former TV presenter at China’s state broadcaster CGTN, is facing charges in relation to supplying state secrets overseas.

But the details and allegations have never been provided to the government.

“We resect the sovereignty of China’s legal system, but we have been very clear that this case has lacked transparency from the beginning,” she told Neil Breen.

“The Australian government has never been provided with details of the charges and as you say the ambassador was denied entry to Cheng Lei’s trial.

“I do think that lack of transparency is very concerning.”

She says they have been advocating for her to have access to her two young children.

“She has not been able to speak to her own two children since her detention in 2020, which is devastating for her and her children.”

On the Ukrainian President’s address to parliament, she described it as a powerful show of unity.

“Neil it was a very, very important address to the Australian parliament and I was very honoured and proud to be with my colleagues in the chamber.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview on 4BC Breakfast

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