TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Leaders of Australia’s ruling government have jointly attacked opposition leader Anthony Albanese for his alleged weakness in standing up to China.

Liberal MP David Littleproud says Albanese lacks the ‘ticker’ (Australianism meaning courage) to stand up to Beijing’s economic bullying, according to a report by The Australian. The attacks come after Albanese earlier in the week gave a speech promising that he would seek, if elected, to stand firm in the defense of human rights, but also to revive the country’s economic relations with China.

In response, liberal leaders rushed to attack Albanese’s seemingly softer approach to Beijing.

While acknowledging the importance of the economic relationship, Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said “we will not put our economic interest ahead of our national interest”.

“No man can turn a tiger into a kitten by petting it,” said Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan, quoting Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The charges come as Australia voiced support for an EU-led case against China at the WTO over illegal sanctions against Lithuania amid an ongoing trade dispute between the two countries. The rapidly escalating trade dispute first began with a diplomatic spat over the appointment of Taiwan’s representative office in Vilnius.

Canberra is seeking to engage in multilateral consultations on the case, citing its own experience of economic bullying by China and the substantial stake it had in the Lithuanian dispute, according to a West Australian report. Relations with China are expected to be a major issue in the upcoming Australian national elections due to be held this year.