Yesterday
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.
- Andrew Tillett
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.
- Andrew Tillett
Congress fights to reverse funding cuts for AUKUS subs deal
Draft legislation released this week shows Congress is ready to fight to restore funding for building Virginia-class submarines, essential for the success of AUKUS.
- Matthew Cranston
This Month
- Exclusive
- Taiwan
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.
- Andrew Tillett
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.
- Andrew Tillett and Ayesha de Kretser
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.
- Andrew Tillett
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.
- Andrew Tillett
China wrong on defence flare stoush: Albanese
Beijing now says an Australian navy helicopter was spying on its military in the Yellow Sea.
- Andrew Tillett
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
- Andrew Tillett
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.
- Andrew Tillett
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.
- Andrew Tillett
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.
- Andrew Tillett
Global crises making it hard for ethical investors: Gareth Evans
The former foreign minister nominated Israel’s “disproportionate” response to the Hamas attacks and Narendra Modi’s leadership of India as challenges for investors.
- Phillip Coorey
April
Chinese influence lingers in Solomons despite Sogavare ouster
The new Solomon Islands government is not expected to be as overtly hostile to Australia after Manasseh Sogavare declared he will not recontest the prime ministership.
- Andrew Tillett
Electric vehicle sales set to surge, IEA predicts
EV numbers will be strong this year and Chinese carmakers will increase their dominance, the International Energy Agency predicts.
- Hans van Leeuwen
The ‘frightening discussion’ Australia needs to have about China
Defence experts are urging the Albanese government to canvass how the civilian population and industry could be mobilised on a war footing.
- Andrew Tillett
Chalmers says ‘big’ investment in subsidy plan won’t push up inflation
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has defended the government’s green industry subsidies plan, joining other countries protecting itself from China’s race to the bottom.
- Matthew Cranston
Navy, RAAF face cuts to pay for $330b in new weapons
While the government touts its $330 billion new weapons blueprint, concerns are being raised about programs that have been scrapped.
- Andrew Tillett
National security committee to meet after stabbings: PM
Anthony Albanese says violence and extremism has no place in Australia; Richard Marles reveals defence spending will crack $100 billion by 2034. How the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Gus McCubbing
Defence’s $330b plan still leaves decade of danger
Defence Minister Richard Marles says Australia faces a “precarious” decade, by the end of which defence spending will be about $100 billion a year.
- Andrew Tillett
