Confusion over whether or not the coalition government would back a ban on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei tendering for work on the NBN was "amateurish and somewhat embarrassing", a senior Labor MP says.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott ruled out overturning the ban this week, despite his Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Trade Minister Andrew Robb earlier indicating it could be reviewed.
The former Labor government instituted the ban based on security advice from spy agencies ASIO and the Defence Intelligence Organisation.
Matt Thistlewaite, Labor's shadow parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs, said Mr Turnbull and Mr Robb were guilty of dangling a carrot in front of the Chinese telco.
"Having Tony Abbott and the Attorney General George Brandis come out and put paid to those arguments I think was a little bit amateurish and somewhat embarrassing for this government," Mr Thistlewaite told Sky News on Saturday.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"I have no argument with the approach that they've taken in terms of the outcome of the policy. The issue I have with is the comments of Andrew Robb and Malcolm Turnbull in the lead up to the decision being made."
