A question worth asking- considering US-China relations are so fractured and tense at the moment, why does the PRC not engage in punitive trade measures against the US?
Why is it only targeting Australia in this manner?
The answer is simple

Beijing would not try this type of thing with the United States because it would be scared to do so.
Speaking honestly, it is apparent that Beijing looks down on Australia and mistakenly believes that it can boss Australia around.

Beijing knows how much impact it has on the Australian economy, and it also knows that there are many influential people here who will for this reason (among others) encourage Australia to yield to Beijing’s ridiculous demands.

I have seen a few “dictator whisperers” over the past day who say that we should try to see this from Beijing’s perspective. Yet in order to really do that, one needs to get into the mindset of an arrogant dictatorship that looks down on “middle powers” and 土澳...

And who thinks that Australia’s role in the bilateral relationship should be to just shut up and be eternally thankful to an oppressive dictatorship threatening sovereignty abroad and building concentration camps at home.

This, in sum, is why the PRC has directed its ire at Australia. That ire at its base shows a fundamental disrespect for Australia and its sovereignty.

Anyone who suggests we should change policy or change diplomatic tone or do anything except laugh at Beijing’s irrational and imperialistic demands is also embracing the idea that China is a “big country” and “small” Australia should listen and obey

If you give an inch on any of this, the bullies of Beijing will only ask for ever more. Take a look, for example, at Hong Kong today.