Tasmanian Senator Eric Abetz says no government officials should attend the Winter Olympics in Beijing next year, but says athletes should be free to make their own decision.

It comes as there are still concerns for the welfare of tennis player Peng Shuai after she detailed sexual assault allegations against a senior Chinese official in a social media post.

Now, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) have announced the “immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong” until her claims are investigated and they’re sure she can speak freely.

Senator Abetz said it’s just the latest example of human rights abuses committed by the communist country.

“Our athletes I think should be free to go, it’s up to their conscious to make that determination,” he said.

“But for ambassador, for our minister for sports, be it our Prime Minster, anybody in government should not be going so that the regime knows well and truly we will not turn a blind eye to the various human rights abuses”.

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