Defence Minister Richard Marles is challenging Beijing to make clear that it opposes the invasion of another sovereign state, while repudiating claims that western governments, including Australia, possess a deep rooted hostility towards China. Amid heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, Mr Marles will speak at the Shangri-La defence forum inContinue Reading
China has just cut the ribbon on a mammoth new base on Australia’s doorstep, a remote and wintry outpost in Antarctica that the country insists poses no threat to the world. But some experts aren’t convinced, saying the facility is “inherently dual-use” and part of Beijing’s “strategic frontiers” – andContinue Reading
Anthony Albanese has been pressed to share his personal opinion on treaty and truth-telling after declining to recommit to the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The Prime Minister has distanced himself in recent days from the second components of the statement – truth and treaty – warning against expectations theContinue Reading
Repatriation flights bringing Australians home from war in Israel and Gaza have been suspended as the federal government scrambles to find alternative options. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the flight cancellations on Saturday, citing a “highly challenging and rapidly changing” environment. “Unfortunately, we have been advised ourContinue Reading
They’re “friends without limits”. But President Vladimir Putin has still managed to cross a red line with China. With Chairman Xi openly criticising threats of nuclear war, Moscow now denies it ever did so. Even before his troops crossed into Ukraine, President Putin threatened “unimaginable consequences” if NATO was toContinue Reading