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Bags went missing in Dubai floods, with embassy staff only able to retrieve one instrument and a handful of dress uniforms for defence force musiciansAustralia’s and New Zealand’s defence forces are once again coming together at Gallipoli – this time to ensure New Zealand’s military band can play on.The band’s luggage was among thousands of bags lost during last week’s Dubai floods, with embassy...

Former secretary of the home affairs department recommends preparation of a ‘war book’ to allocate roles in the event of conflictFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastAustralia needs a comprehensive national plan for war – a “war book” – to coordinate civil and military roles and “focus the national mind”...

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...

Military funding to undergo major shake-up Albanese government says will ensure ADF can project power further from Australian shoresGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastPlans for Australia to acquire new F-35 fighter jets have been put on the back burner as part of a major funding overhaul that the government says will deliver an overall increase in defence...

This blog is now closed.Brittany Higgins questions whether she was drugged on night of alleged rape in new court submissionMona ordered to allow people ‘who do not identify as ladies’ into Ladies Lounge exhibitGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastA search will resume this morning for a woman who went missing while bushwalking at Belmore Falls in New...

This blog is now closedEmerson says breaking up supermarkets ‘too heavy handed’ as Dutton derides ‘Mickey Mouse review’Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastPM ‘absolutely’ confident supermarket review will reduce prices for consumersThe prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is speaking to ABC News Radio, also weighing in on Craig Emerson’s supermarket review.Including the Senate review … we’ve already announced...

In demonstration of Australia’s air combat capability, Grant Shapps travels in RAAF Super Hornet after meeting with Anthony AlbaneseGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe UK defence secretary, Grant Shapps, has caught a ride in the back seat of an Australian air force fighter jet after meeting with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese.The visiting dignitary met with Albanese...

This blog is now closedAs part of the latest Aukus developments, Australia will send A$4.6bn to the UK to clear bottlenecks at the Rolls-Royce nuclear reactor production line.Richard Marles was asked why it costs so much, and why this component needs to be done in the UK. He told ABC News Breakfast:We made clear a year ago that we wouldn’t be building the nuclear...

Judges have retired to consider ex-SAS soldier’s appeal in defamation case against the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age and the Canberra TimesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThree judges have retired to consider a comprehensive attack by Ben Roberts-Smith on a devastating court ruling that news reports he committed war crimes were substantially true.The Victoria Cross recipient has...

Angus Campbell tells parliament recently appointed brigade deputy commander Penioni (Ben) Naliva is entitled to presumption of innocenceGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe chief of the Australian defence force has told a parliamentary committee he was unaware of serious allegations against a Fijian military officer before approving his appointment to an Australian army brigade.Colonel Penioni (Ben) Naliva,...

Court in former SAS soldier’s defamation appeal hears arguments supporting reports old man found in tunnel was unlawfully killedGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastIt is difficult to understand how an elderly Afghan man died during an SAS raid if not through unlawful execution, a judge overseeing Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation appeal says.During a second week of the Victoria...

Roberts-Smith, 45, is seeking to overturn June defamation trial judgment that found he engaged in war crimes in AfghanistanFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastNews companies defending a defamation appeal launched by Ben Roberts-Smith over reports he engaged in war crimes in Afghanistan have told a court the ex-SAS corporal’s...

American war planners used joint Talisman Sabre exercises to position equipment in northern VictoriaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastWhen US and Australian troops practised amphibious landings, ground combat and air operations last year, they drew headlines about the allies deepening defence cooperation to counter China’s growing military ambitions.But for...