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Federal government MPs are urging Australia to follow the US's lead and join a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
US President Joe Biden has announced America won't send any government officials to next year's games, citing the Chinese government's ongoing genocide against minority Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses.
Liberal senator Eric Abetz, who also chairs the upper house foreign affairs, defence and trade legislation committee, has called for Australian officials not to attend the games.
'I trust other freedom-loving countries like Australia will also make a stance in solidarity,' the Tasmanian senator told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
'Taking a stand with a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics is the right way to go, so I'm absolutely delighted Joe Biden's administration has taken the lead.'
Senator Abetz said he was not concerned about potential blowback from China should Australia also decide to go ahead with a diplomatic