March
Labor’s $1b fast-tracked defence spending falls short of target
Analysts and defence firms have questioned whether $1 billion in funding will make a difference to Australia’s military build-up.
Labor breaks cover to fast-track $50b defence spending
The government and opposition are trading barbs over who can best deliver an increase in defence spending.
Coalition weighs spending billions more on defence
A Dutton government may boost the military’s funding to 2.5 per cent of GDP, as US president Donald Trump demands allies spend more on defence.
October 2024
Bennelong restaurant preps for Jordan Peterson and ex-prime ministers
Dining with the popular online conservative sends a signal about the current state of Liberal party ideas.
August 2024
Australia needs to arm up by late 2026: Hastie
If he becomes defence minister after the next election, Andrew Hastie will move to rapidly acquire new weapons amid warnings of possible conflict with China in 2027.
June 2024
British, US defence giants create AUKUS one-stop shop
A major business deal will create a new Australian military contractor to support the country’s nuclear submarine ambitions.
Labor scrambles to end confusion on foreign military recruits
The government has scrambled to clarify that foreigners eligible to join the Defence Force will be limited to just a few countries.
February 2024
Boat arrivals who reached WA taken to Nauru
Andrew Hastie said the government was “soft and weak” on national security as the opposition doubled down on its attacks over the boat arrival.
Security risk from Defence project delays
New weapons worth billions of dollars are running cumulatively 37 years late, a scathing audit finds.
Marles takes potshot at Defence
Richard Marles says the Defence Department has a “way to go” before achieving excellence following the Financial Review’s revelations of tensions between minister and military.
December 2023
![“We think it is important that navigation and freedom of movement be allowed [in the Red Sea],” said Anthony Albanese.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.1895%2C$multiply_4%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_465%2C$y_86/t_crop_custom/c_scale%2Cw_280%2Cq_52%2Cf_auto/1ed50171f5859af9ed0f2eed1039be29d58d71c6)
PM offers diplomats against Red Sea attacks, no ships
The stance was immediately slammed by the Coalition as weak, out of step with allies, and deaf to the broader inflationary threat posed by the Houthi attacks.
November 2023
Defence projects face axe to fund new weapons
The head of the Defence Department warns cuts will be made to planned military projects to free up cash for new weapons.
BAE pivots to missiles in effort to salvage troubled frigate program
The British shipbuilder has outlined plans to restore its plans to build nine major warships in Adelaide, unveiling a design favouring missiles rather than sub-hunting capability.
October 2023
Why leading Liberals have descended on London this week
Three ex-PMs, two ex-deputy PMs and dozens more from the centre-right of Australian politics are helping inaugurate a new think-tank-style body.
June 2023
‘Under siege’: Yes campaign frets about voter fatigue in WA
Supporters of the Indigenous Voice to parliament fear the West Australian government’s mishandling of controversial new Aboriginal cultural heritage laws has the potential to undermine the Yes campaign.
Send tanks and jets: opposition demands PM step up war aid for Ukraine
Australia is no longer pulling its weight in aiding Ukraine and risks damaging our international reputation, opposition claims.
April 2023
Stop using army for floods and fires, defence review says
Increased use of the military to help with natural disaster relief is detracting from its ability to defend Australia, the Defence Strategic Review says.
McGowan handpicked The West to travel with him to Beijing
Other media outlets were told they needed official invitations from “an industry counterpart” in China if they wanted to cover the WA premier’s trip.
‘Swallowed Cold War pills’: McGowan caught in hot mic attack on Hastie
The WA Premier was busted criticising federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie during a trade mission to Beijing.
March 2023
‘Nuclear-free’ unions fire warning over AUKUS pact
ACTU President Michele O’Neil says unions have long-standing support for a “nuclear-free defence policy”.