James Packer says Kevin Rudd took Australia’s relationship with Asia backwards 

The Crown Chairman, who is accompanying Prime Minister Tony Abbott on his current trip to the region, has criticised the previous Labor government’s diplomacy skills.

“When you go around and lecture people, and I think you’d know who I’m talking about, some people don’t take it that well,” Mr Packer told 3AW Radio.

“Especially if you position yourself as a foreign policy expert,” he said, referring to Mr Rudd.

The businessman argued the current PM is working to forge a closer relationship with Asia.

“I think the truth is that Australia’s relationships with China, Japan, India and Indonesia probably all went backwards over the last five years.”

Australia’s integration into Asia is, at a macro level, just about the most important thing our government can do.”

Mr Packer is part of a delegation of senior Australian business leaders travelling with Mr Abbott, which also includes Kerry Stokes and Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest.

Mr Packer said it was important for Australia to show countries like Japan that it’s open for business.

“I think the Prime Minister making Asia, very clearly the first big trip he’s taken in his Prime Ministership … is again showing that the interaction with Asia is going to be key to Australia’s economic future,” he argued.

The head of Crown wished Mr Rudd “well” but his “personal view” was that the former PM damaged Australia’s relationship with our neighbours and Mr Abbott is having to make up ground.

“That’s why so many people are up here supporting him in the business community,” Mr Packer added, declaring he was a “big fan” of the current Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister last night announced the government had concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement with Japan

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