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
BHP’s $64b game; Chalmers slams ‘trick’ claim; Meme stock stupidity
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
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
What a second Trump presidency could bring
The influential American conservative platform Project 2025 has spent two years crafting a 900-page proposal for key areas of immigration, tax and trade.
- Matthew Cranston
This Month
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
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.
- 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
- Opinion
- Opinion
How to make sure JAUKUS is a success
It’s a no-brainer to bring Japanese technology into AUKUS pillar 2. But it needs to take account of Tokyo’s inexperience and concerns about high-level military co-operation.
- Shingo Yamagami and Paul Maley
Why this Sydney investor bought property in Brisbane
Investors from Sydney and Melbourne are increasingly looking further afield in the hunt for value. But how do you go about buying in an unfamiliar market?
- Michelle Bowes
- Exclusive
- Foreign relations
‘No concerns’ with South Korean takeover bid for Austal: Marles
Defence Minister Richard Marles has given a fillip to Hanwha’s bid to buy Perth shipbuilder Austal, despite the deal raising security concerns.
- Andrew Tillett and Brad Thompson
April
The apartment supply conundrum behind Perth’s housing price surge
There’s plenty of demand and many projects approved, but sky-high construction costs have left developers asking for more government money.
- Updated
- Tom Rabe
US expects to finalise AUKUS trade exemptions in next 120 days
The statement indicates a delay in the process, but the legislation requires the US president to revisit the issue in another 120 days.
- Reuters
- Opinion
- Fumio Kishida
Japan’s ‘cowardly’ media fails to take on corporate giants
As he leaves Japan as the AFR’s North Asia correspondent, Michael Smith reflects on a media that is often too scared to hold its government and CEOs to account.
- Updated
- Michael Smith
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Australia must pay the price for defence and deterrence
A generation of politicians who grew up with a post-Cold War peace dividend are now struggling to switch from welfare to warfare.
- The AFR View
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
- Opinion
- Defence
Subs ahoy! Marles defends Labor’s record in defence
Richard Marles argues the Labor government has delivered dramatic reform in defence to project Australia into a much changed and more dangerous region. Is that right?
- Updated
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Defence
Defence strategy fills gaps but misses holes
We need to move towards a wider conversation around national security and mobilisation, and be clear on the vulnerability in our capabilities until the late 2030s.
- Jennifer Parker
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
Seven’s new Boral bid; Mercedes mortgage pain; $77m Toorak double deal
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
