February
Orica executive picked for Liberals’ tilt at ‘winnable’ NSW seat
Local Liberals are worried that a delayed preselection may put a winnable seat out of reach despite a star recruit.
January
Business tapped to foil Chinese influence in the Pacific
The Albanese government is reminding Australian companies that keeping their social licence means operating beyond the nation’s borders.
December 2024
Collins-class submarines listed as ‘product of concern’
The government has promised to fix maintenance issues with the navy’s submarine fleet amid concerns they can’t go to sea as much.
October 2024
Missile factory too late, too slow for China threat: experts
The factory will be established as the centrepiece of the government’s plans to build up a domestic stockpile of rockets and missiles.
‘Ramped up’ defence industry deals on the cards with NATO
As Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy sat down at the top NATO table in Brussels, the talk turned to commercial deals that might ramp up output.
North Korean troops could turn Ukraine into ‘world war’, Zelensky says
The leaders of Ukraine and NATO welcomed Australia’s gift of tanks, as a ministerial summit fretted about Chinese and North Korean involvement.
September 2024
Defence company boss ousted after tensions over big contracts
Ben Hudson is out as BAE Systems CEO after concerns he was not focused enough on AUKUS submarines.
August 2024
Australia pressed to spend more climate dollars in Pacific
As he heads to the Pacific Islands Forum, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under pressure to boost Australia’s contribution to poorer nations’ fight against climate change.
Taxpayers to fund $850m for long-range missile factory in NSW
Missiles with a range of up to 500 kilometres will be manufactured in Newcastle, under government plans for guided weapons production in Australia.
June 2024
As China’s premier leaves, Australia launches full court press in PNG
The Albanese government will help PNG with domestic security as it tries to ward off Chinese efforts to gain influence in Australia’s closest neighbour.
Tomahawk missiles plan for Collins-class submarines misfires
Australia’s ageing submarine fleet won’t be fitted with strike missiles following advice that modifying the boats would not be value for money.
May 2024
Fears of second PNG landslide and disease outbreak
The blanket of debris has become more unstable after rain and streams trapped between the rubble.
Australia won’t raid Pacific militaries to plug defence gaps: Conroy
Plans to recruit Pacific Islanders to join the Australian Defence Force are focusing on attracting school leavers with the offer of learning a trade.
April 2024
Navy, RAAF face cuts to pay for $330b in new weapons
While the government touts its $330 billion new weapons blueprint, concerns are being raised about programs that have been scrapped.
Trump flexible on AUKUS subs: Republicans
Republicans have signalled that Donald Trump is likely to back the AUKUS submarine sale deal with Australia if he is elected president in November.
February 2024
Weapons plan to keep local ship, drone and ammo makers in business
Defence will become more interventionist in how it manages projects to help preserve local know-how in shipbuilding, production of munitions and development of autonomous systems.
Six years in a leaky boat: the plan to fix an ailing navy
Defence is betting that smaller ‘drone’ ships and plenty of missiles will be enough in a fast-changing world of remote-controlled warfare.
Europe v Asia in race for Australia’s new warships
Weaponry, diplomacy and speed of delivery will influence the government’s decision over who builds 11 new frigates for Australia’s navy.
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.
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.