This Month
Victorian members to push Labor over AUKUS deal
Rank-and-file Labor members are preparing to launch a blistering attack on US president Donald Trump and demand the Albanese government withdraw from AUKUS.
Australia hands over first tranche of tanks to Ukraine
Australia has delivered most of the 49 Abrams tanks it pledged at a value of $245 million to complement other military equipment donated by allies.
Xi is duchessing Albanese while Trump ignores him
Anthony Albanese’s highly choreographed visit to China showcases the lack of a similar invitation – or enthusiasm – from the Trump White House.
Inside Labor’s defence spending fight
Defence Minister Richard Marles is weighing a restructure of the sprawling bureaucracy.
PM needs to fix defence dysfunction before spending increase
An auditor-general’s report raises uncomfortable questions for the Defence Department over accountability and transparency.
June
Alarm sounded over navy ships riddled with defects
Ongoing issues with defects in the navy’s biggest ships could shake faith in Australia’s ability to operate nuclear-powered submarines.
Farrell plays down Trump trade threat over defence spending
The Albanese government believes Australia will be spared further tariff hikes if it refuses to bow to the defence spending demands of the Trump administration.
US plays the Trump card at NATO
The summit allows the US president to parade his ceasefire success and press NATO members to up their defence spending. Australia’s Richard Marles is the odd man out.
PM cannot say when he’ll meet Donald Trump
Anthony Albanese says whenever he meets the US president, it will be “at a time that’s convenient for both of us”.
Meeting Trump has become a box Albanese needs to tick
There’s a growing sense of urgency within government about the need to secure a meeting with the US president.
The glaring flaw in AUKUS that even America’s top defence official knows
It’s virtually certain the review will conclude the agreement should not proceed unless Australia publicly commits to “do its part for the collective defence”.
‘No Plan B’ on AUKUS; Monash CEO quits; Wall Street bubble fears
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Government holds tough on defence amid AUKUS threat
The Albanese government says the defence budget will not be used as a negotiating tool with allies.
Here comes Trump’s AUKUS shakedown
The president’s America First agenda means someone has to pay – in this case it could be Australian taxpayers.
‘Beijing would rejoice’: AUKUS in jeopardy as US reviews its role
Defence Minister Richard Marles downplayed a US review into AUKUS which threatens Australia’s $300 billion-plus plans to build and acquire nuclear submarines.
Albanese shouldn’t bother pursuing US tariff exemptions
The prime minister should be wary of cutting short-sighted deals with Donald Trump and instead focus on domestic policies he can control to improve living standards.
‘It’s a matter of sovereignty’: PM not for turning on defence
Anthony Albanese has no intention of being dictated to on defence spending, by the US or anyone else.
Taylor widens divide on defence, as Albanese rebuffs $40b US demand
The Coalition has recommitted to boosting defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP, even as the PM pushes back on the Trump administration’s demands of a big boost.
Despite Trump’s chaos, Hegseth spoke an uncomfortable truth on defence
Australia’s defence spending choices are being distorted by the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.
May
‘Grim’ risk of nuclear arms race as US presses for defence budget boost
Defence Minister Richard Marles will tell a top security forum an updated arms control regime is needed to prevent war.