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The US talks of Aukus as ‘binding’ the allies for decades to come, but Richard Marles says Australia must become more ‘self-reliant’Australia’s defence overhaul has accelerated some projects and cut others and has already prompted a plea from China to abandon a “cold war mentality”.But as the dust settles on a plan to increase overall military spending, the Albanese government has also sent some...

The security deal with Beijing agreed by PM Manasseh Sogavare is under the spotlight ahead of the 17 April voteChina’s rising power in the Pacific explained in 30 secondsChina’s influence in the Pacific is being scrutinised as ally Solomon Islands prepares to hold elections this month, with two candidates indicating they would seek to review a controversial security pact between the two countries.Ties between...

Parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security report says scheme set up in 2018 public register has ‘significant flaws’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastAn Australian government scheme to bring foreign influence out of the shadows has “significant flaws” and enforcement has “focused almost exclusively on China with little success”,...

This blog is now closed.Coalition warned political point-scoring on Kevin Rudd’s US appointment not in national interestGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastExpect to hear a lot more on this today:Southern Australia could face gas shortages during “extreme peak demand days” from 2025 as Bass Strait supplies dwindle, the Australian Energy Market Operator has said. Continue reading...

Former Labor prime minister hit back at criticism of his plans to meet with China’s visiting foreign ministerGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastPaul Keating has declared that The Australian newspaper should be “contemptuously ignored” as the former Labor prime minister hit back at criticism of his plans to meet with China’s visiting foreign minister.Keating, an outspoken opponent...

Shadow home affairs spokesperson James Paterson labels social media platform a ‘bad faith actor’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe shadow home affairs spokesperson has labelled TikTok a “bad faith actor” and a “serious threat” to Australia’s national security, urging the Albanese government to follow the United States in its...

Feleti Teo tells the Guardian Tuvaluans fear last year’s treaty may give Australia too much say over the Pacific nation’s securityTuvalu’s new prime minister, Feleti Teo, wants “guarantees” from Canberra that a landmark treaty with Australia will not undermine his country’s sovereignty.Teo, who was appointed leader last month, told the Guardian a controversial security clause in the Falepili Union treaty has led to fears...

Canberra expected to push for removal of remaining trade impediments after Wang Yi arrives next weekFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastChina’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, will visit Australia for the first time in seven years, with next week’s trip being locked in just hours after Beijing offered a reprieve...

Peter Foley, the program director for search led by Australian Transport Safety Bureau, says any chance of success needs the government to investGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe man who led Australia’s search for MH370 has urged the Australian government to support any new effort to find the plane, which disappeared 10 years ago on Friday.On Sunday...

Tourism industry disappointed but hopeful Chinese holidaymakers could return by year’s end – but economists predict a longer waitGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastIn the two weeks either side of lunar new year, Mandy Ho, who manages a hot air balloon company in Melbourne, has many balls in the air.Most mornings before dawn, when weather permits, her...

Exclusive: Duggan’s legal team continues to fight US request for extradition on charges of arms trafficking and money launderingPodcast: listen to the interview with Asio boss Mike BurgessFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesThe spy agency Asio says it has been cleared by the intelligence watchdog of allegations of impropriety raised by the Australian citizen Daniel Duggan as he fights extradition to...

Australian Chinese former fashion blogger, whose appointment in 2021 was met with controversy, announces she is leaving the magazineThree years after becoming the youngest person to hold an editor title at Vogue, Margaret Zhang is leaving her position as editorial director of Vogue China.The Australian Chinese creative director announced her exit on Instagram on Monday, writing: “As we kick off a transformative Year of...

Anthony Albanese and James Marape to meet on Thursday amid rising domestic pressures on the PNG leaderFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will roll out the red carpet to the visiting Papua New Guinea prime minister, James Marape, amid efforts to stall China’s security talks with the Pacific country.Marape...

Australia’s foreign minister says government is ‘appalled’ by sentence, which could mean life in prisonThe Australian academic Yang Hengjun has been given a suspended death sentence by a Chinese court, after five years in detention on espionage charges. His sentence came on the same day that the women’s rights activist Li Qiaochu was sentenced to three years and eight months by a court in...

Statement signed by former foreign ministers, a Nobel laureate and academics outlines anxieties about possibility of conflict in Indo-Pacific regionBob Carr and Gareth Evans: China and the US must agree to peaceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastAustralia must step up diplomatic efforts to “avert the horror of great power...

Ambassador says there is ‘no room at all’ for compromise on ‘sensitive’ issue, and offers gloomy assessment on prospects for release of writer Dr Yang HengjunGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastChina has lodged diplomatic protests with Australia for congratulating the winner of Taiwan’s presidential election, with the Chinese ambassador warning there is “no room at all” for...