‘New arc of autocracy’ threatens to challenge the world: Scott Morrison

Former prime minister Scott Morrison says the global rules-based order is being challenged by a “new arc of autocracy” from Pyongyang, Beijing, Tehran, and Moscow. Mr Morrison spoke out against this international issue during his valedictory speech on Tuesday. “A chord of would-be regional hegemons, who would prefer power to freedom and care little for the price their own citizens pay to achieve their ends,” Mr Morrison said. “For this reason, our government stood firm against the bullying and coercion of an aggressive Chinese Communist Party government in Beijing – who thought we would shrink when pressed. “Indeed, we not only stood firm, but we worked with our allies, our partners, and those in our region who wished to protect their own sovereignty, to counter this threat to regional peace, prosperity, and stability.”