This Month
Biden backs Australia’s push on clean nickel standards
The White House says more transparency is needed on nickel mining, so buyers know whether the mineral is clean or dirty amid a Chinese-driven supply glut.
- Matthew Cranston
Navy to shrink then get bigger, deadlier under $80b revamp
The Albanese government will slash its frigate order from nine to six but add ships bristling with missiles in a revamp that adds $11 billion to naval spending.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
- Analysis
- Defence
Navy shambles is now Labor’s to fix, or own
The new naval shipbuilding plan contains some sensible decisions. But there are still risks and failure will be on the Albanese government.
- Andrew Tillett
$20b blowout forces navy rethink, but number of warships could double
A review of Australia’s fighting warships exposed another blowout in the frigate project, and will force the government to go smaller, faster.
- Andrew Tillett
Australia seeks clarity on when Chinese ties will bar miners from US cash
The Australian government has asked the US to tighten access to its critical minerals subsidies, including by expanding bans on Chinese political party members.
- Peter Ker
Congress pushes back on Australian industry AUKUS fears
Australian defence industry concerns about tight AUKUS controls on technology are being heard in America’s halls of power, but don’t bet on softer rules.
- Matthew Cranston
Wong issues Indian Ocean conflict warning
It might be lower profile, but a major conflict in the Indian Ocean would have a devastating effect on the world economy, says Penny Wong.
- Andrew Tillett
Too old, too slow: Marles’ mission to shake up Defence
As Marles tries to assert his control over Defence, it’s obvious there is no silver bullet – or silver drone – available to him.
- Andrew Tillett
‘No choice but to get along’: PNG to Australia after China dalliance
During a historic address to parliament, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said building up his country’s economy would help with Australian security.
- Andrew Tillett
China wine tariffs still expected to lift despite Yang death sentence
Anthony Albanese lashed the sentence handed to dissident blogger Yang Hengjun as harsh, and Peter Dutton urged the West to call out human rights abuses.
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- AUKUS
Nikki Haley backs AUKUS subs deal to counter China aggression
Donald Trump’s rival for the Republican presidential nomination has backed the AUKUS agreement and the sale of submarines to Australia.
- Matthew Cranston
- Opinion
- China relations
China plays hardball with Canberra on Yang sentence
Beijing is sending a message to the Albanese government that it is not going to get everything it wants by handing an Australian citizen a suspended death sentence.
- Updated
- Michael Smith
Australia, NZ to double down on defence amid China anxiety
Australia and New Zealand could form joint military teams and buy weapons together as they breathe new life in the Anzac alliance.
- Andrew Tillett
January
US urges Pacific to keep Chinese tech out of undersea cables
America’s cybersecurity envoy said Pacific countries could be cut off from cables if they use “untrusted” suppliers, as Nauru offered assurances to Canberra over its China flip.
- Andrew Tillett and Mark Mulligan
PNG security talks with China rouse local anger
Canberra and Port Moresby are hosing down the prospects of Papua New Guinea striking a security deal with China.
- Andrew Tillett
Documents reveal cat-and-mouse game in Chinese warship incident
Chinese warship Ningbo repeatedly ignored requests from HMAS Toowoomba before a sonar blast that injured Australian sailors, a previously unseen government note says.
- Andrew Tillett
Prices for Australian lithium have further to fall
The commodity price forecaster that spooked the big four banks out of a landmark lithium loan says Chinese miners will flourish and drive down lithium prices.
- Peter Ker
- Exclusive
- Defence
Warning over Hong Kong ties to Defence security contracts
A company with links to Hong Kong businessmen is responsible for providing security at some of Australia’s most sensitive defence bases.
- Andrew Tillett
- Analysis
- Foreign relations
China ups the stakes as year of volatility looms
While Penny Wong was in the Middle East, the government’s task in Pacific got harder after China unveiled a new diplomatic alliance with Nauru.
- Andrew Tillett
Japan rejects China claim warships to blame for sonar incident
Japan’s foreign ministry has denied China’s suggestions this week that one of its warships may have injured an Australian navy diver last year.
- Michael Smith
