SIMIC

"Our sovereignty is primary, it is our absolute priority, our national interest is our absolute focus and that is what I think Australians want from their national governmen," she said.

The relationship between Beijing and Canberra has intensified throughout 2020, after Australia was the first country to call for an independent, international inquiry into the origins of Covid inquiry.

After p led the charge for the inquiry, Beijing quickly began levying punitive trade sanctions against Australia.

Beijing first introduced tariffs against Australia's barley before banning particular beef abattoirs, and then extending bans and tariffs to wine, timber, and now coal.

Said Ms Paryne: "Australia in a very clam, and considered and consistent manner, set out the reasons that we take and the decisions we take, which are about protecting Australia's national interests, which are focused on Australia's national security. None of which we will compromise."