A key crossbench senator wants at least 100 Chinese diplomats and consular staff kicked out of Australia.
Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick argues the number of Chinese representatives must be “radically reduced” on national security grounds.
“The Australian government should bite the bullet and take long overdue action,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
The aggressive move would undoubtedly spark immediate retaliation from Beijing, but Senator Patrick believes it would be worthwhile.
He argues Australian ministers and diplomats are already routinely ignored by their Chinese counterparts.