As the PM is apparently wimping out, it has far more significance than anything anyone else has said or done.
What they are saying is we will retaliate if you try to shut down our spying activities.
I'm concerned about the direction of the entire nation. There is no way the Chinese would say what they did, about Australia being weak, if the US was more closely involved. They're embolden by the current situation and have influence in both major parties.