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DefencePremiumUK-Aust defence pact 'could go further'

The United Kingdom's defence pact with Australia could "go further", British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told Anthony Albanese.

Patrick Daly

‘Prickly porcupine’ Premium‘War drones’: Rinehart calls on new PM to secure the north

WA billionaire Gina Rinehart has called on the incoming Labor Government to escalate efforts to bolster Australia’s northern defences, including shifting vital naval services from Fremantle to the Pilbara.

Sinking feeling CommentsPremium‘There’s no contracts’: WA Govt slams PM over ‘ghost ships’

WA’s Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia has accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of promising “ghost ships” and failing to provide local shipbuilders with certainty.

John Flint

opinion
opinion
Andrew HunterCommentsPremium
opinion
Australia needs a mature approach to national security

After a decade in which foreign policy was increasingly informed by domestic political considerations, national security considerations will increasingly influence domestic policy

Andrew Hunter

DefencePremiumCongress talks UFOs, but no sign of aliens

Congress has held its UFO first hearing in decades, but Pentagon officials haven't revealed much about unexplained sightings, much less confirmed any aliens.

Nomaan Merchant

Fearmongering claimsCommentsPremiumMcGowan slams Peter Dutton as the ‘biggest threat to WA’

Mark McGowan has accused Peter Dutton of using the presence of a Chinese intelligence ship to stir up fear to win votes, labelling the Defence Minister himself ‘the biggest threat to Western Australia’.

Annabel Hennessy

DefenceSweden, Finland make historic NATO plans

Finland and Sweden have announced 'historic' plans to apply for NATO membership.

Staff Writers

DefencePremiumFinland confirms it will seek to join NATO

Finland will apply for membership of the NATO military alliance, President Sauli Niinisto has confirmed.

Staff Writers

DefenceSweden sets out benefits of NATO

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde says membership of NATO would boost national security and help to stabilise the Nordic and Baltic regions.

Simon Johnson and Johan Ahlander

‘Not responsible’PremiumPM puts McGowan in his place after Dutton criticism

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has dismissed comments by WA Premier Mark McGowan criticising his Defence Minister Peter Dutton, saying the WA Premier is not in charge of national security.

Lanai Scarr

Key evidence PremiumWitness saw Ben Roberts-Smith ‘mistress’ fall down stairs

The man who tried to help Ben Roberts-Smith’s ‘mistress’ out of a glitzy Canberra event has told a court he watched her drunkenly tumble down a staircase, striking her head and leaving a terrible bruise.

Perry Duffin

DefenceWarship didn't enter Australian waters: PM

Scott Morrison says Australia was keeping a close eye on a Chinese warship spotted off the coast of Western Australia.

Andrew Brown

War of wordsPremiumDutton slams McGowan ‘attack’ as China spy ship tracks coast

The Defence Minister has dismissed Mark McGowan’s ‘personal attack’ over his diplomacy with China as a military spy ship tracks close to the WA coast in an ‘unprecedented’ push south.

Rebecca Le May

DefenceSweden beefs up defence of key island

The Swedish island of Gotland is likely to be on the front line of any future confrontation between Russia and Sweden.

Philip O'Connor and Ilze Filks

Defence spend CommentsPremiumMorrison to unveil $8b helicopter cash splash

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set to announce an $8 billion expansion of Australia’s maritime helicopter fleet and upgrades to facilities when he visits the marginal NSW seat of Gilmore on Monday. 

Caitlyn Rintoul

Fact CheckerPremiumHas Dutton been transparent on scrapped defence commitments?

Defence Minister Peter Dutton used his debate with Labor opponent Brendan O’Connor to again position national security and fears around China’s military ambitions at the centre of the election battleground.

John Flint

‘lack of trust’Premium‘Insane, unhinged’: Solomon Islands PM’s claims slammed

The Solomon Islands Opposition has lashed out at Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s claim that Australia’s threat to invade the country mapped out the potential for the leader to instate Chinese security.

Kellie Balaam

‘Call for calm’ VideoCommentsPM facing heat after Solomon Islands’ ‘invasion’ claim

The Prime Minister is facing heat over the fallout from the Solomon Islands’ deal with China, rejecting accusations he started a war of words which has just driven the Pacific Islands nation closer to China. 

Annabel Hennessy

New contractCommentsPremiumAustal to deliver another EPF ship for US Navy

Henderson-headquartered shipbuilder Austal will deliver another Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel to the US Navy after being granted a $324.6 million contract.

Cheyanne Enciso

DefenceNavy bids farewell to veteran patrol boats

The navy has started retiring its veteran Armidale-class of patrol boats, with the HMAS Maitland decommissioned in Darwin after 16 years of service.

Aaron Bunch

Election promisePremiumLabor vow $1.2 billion to develop defence innovation agency

Federal Labor has unveiled a $1.2 billion election pledge to develop a new Australian Strategic Research Agency, to combine innovation in defence industries, and work with allies.

Caitlyn Rintoul

Security challenges Payne to seek assurance China won’t build base in Solomons

Marise Payne says she will continue to seek assurances from the Solomon Islands that a Chinese military base won't be built in the country.

Andrew Brown

‘Australia stands with Ukraine’CommentsPremiumAustralia provides Ukraine extra $26.7 million in military support

Australia is providing another $26.7 million in military support to Ukraine, in the form of howitzers and ammunition.

Alex Mitchell

‘Red line’VideoCommentsPremiumPM opaque on consequences for China over Pacific expansion

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has failed to expand on what the consequences for Beijing would be if China crossed a ‘red line’ and built military bases in the Pacific.

Lanai Scarr