Today
Defence’s big budget boost four years away, as soldier shortage hits 5000
Despite dire strategic times, defence spending will hover just above 2 per cent for several years before starting to meaningfully rise from mid-2027.
Solomons, PNG win in $1b-plus Pacific play to ward off China
The government will provide funds for telecommunication cables in the Solomon Islands, help Papua New Guinea with a $600 million bailout and upgrade embassies.
- Exclusive
- Cybersecurity
This industry needs 5000 new workers every year just to keep up
Australian cybersecurity workers warn the domestic industry is not competitive with foreign rivals.
Yesterday
- Exclusive
- Australia's China challenge
Meet Taiwan’s ‘matchmaker’ for Australian business
As Taiwan prepares to welcome a new president and bolster economic ties with Australia, the self-ruled island’s envoy issues a warning over Chinese coercion.
This Month
Chinese debt trap diplomacy blamed for grounding Vanuatu airline
Air Vanuatu has gone into voluntary liquidation, putting pressure on the Albanese government to bail out the national carrier.
Trade partners applaud gas certainty; trouble brews for Labor at home
Gas, not wishful thinking, is needed to get to net zero, says Anthony Albanese.
- Updated
Australia considers voting yes on Palestine’s UN bid
Penny Wong says abstaining is a common diplomatic practice, amid pressure to admit Palestine as a United Nations member.
Military tensions flare on the road to stability with China
A near miss between a Chinese fighter jet and Australian helicopter show that friction remains despite improvement in ties between Beijing and Canberra.
‘Show leadership’: Palestinian plea ahead of key UN vote
The Albanese government is being lobbied heavily over whether to support a symbolic vote upgrading Palestine to full membership of the UN.
Australia’s defence chief rejects Chinese spying claims
In his first comments on dramatic helicopter near miss, General Angus Campbell said a Chinese pilot had acted unsafely and unprofessionally.
China wrong on defence flare stoush: Albanese
Beijing now says an Australian navy helicopter was spying on its military in the Yellow Sea.
Beijing blames ‘provocative move’ for helicopter flare incident
Stabilisation of ties between Canberra and Beijing suffered a setback after a Chinese fighter jet released flares near an Australian navy helicopter.
- Updated
Navy helicopter near miss in latest Chinese confrontation
Australian personnel had to take evasive action when their helicopter was confronted by a Chinese fighter jet.
Social cohesion ‘fraying’, Albanese admits amid anti-Israel backlash
Anthony Albanese defended his efforts to keep the community together but would not be drawn on a looming UN vote on Palestinian statehood.
FWC, government face pressure to step in over submarines pay stoush
The Albanese government insists that an industrial dispute at submarine builder ASC in Adelaide won’t affect the navy’s ability to deploy the ageing Collins-class submarines.
Albanese vows to tackle antisemitism after crisis talks with rabbis
Jewish Australians should feel safe in the classroom and in their neighbourhoods, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
Australia, US, Japan, Philippines vow to step up military drills
Four way defence ministers meeting in Hawaii raise concerns over China’s clashes with Filipino ships in South China Sea.
- Exclusive
- Defence
Hanwha could face long wait for answer on Austal bid
The Albanese government is likely to prioritise picking a new frigate design over considering a foreign takeover bid for the Perth shipbuilder.
Blow to China’s bid to join trade pact
New Productivity Commission modelling has found there would be little economic benefit to Australia if China was admitted to the trans-Pacific free trade deal.
Wong warns on foreign interference after Indian spies expelled
Revelations Indian spies were asked to leave Australia in 2020 suggest Western intelligence agencies are unhappy about New Delhi’s espionage tactics.
