March
Blackouts, flooding begin in cyclone disaster zone
Destruction has already begun from Cyclone Alfred, though the full force is not expected until Saturday.
Cyclone stops flights; PM mulls non-budget election options
Millions of residents across south-east Queensland and northern NSW are in a holding pattern as the destructive arrival of the tropical cyclone is pushed back.
Bill could top $2b as Cyclone Alfred fears shut down Brisbane
Residents in a region spanning 500 kilometres along the east coast are bracing for destruction from the most powerful storm in 50 years.
Ben Roberts-Smith gets another (positive) chapter written
Former AFR correspondent and new Nightly writer Aaron Patrick is behind the latest move to rebuild BRS’ reputation.
February
Gaps emerge in coast surveillance as PM cops flak over Chinese drills
Defence officials did not know for 40 minutes that Chinese warships had started a live-firing exercise that disrupted commercial airlines.
China tests Australia’s, Trump’s resolve on Taiwan
The shifting geopolitical landscape has opened new opportunities for Xi Jinping in his plans to wrest back control of Taiwan. Australia is increasingly exposed.
Australia locks out China from PNG ports as military tensions flare
Australia’s $4 billion taxpayer-funded Pacific bank has signed a deal to upgrade one of Papua New Guinea’s major ports and keep Beijing out.
Chinese fighter targets RAAF plane with flares in South China Sea
Beijing’s warships have also been spotted off Australia’s north-east coast.
January
Robot surgeon start-up scores $5m deal from US investors
An orthopaedic doctor turned tech entrepreneur has developed a robot to help perform common knee and shoulder operations, and it’s gaining international attention.
December 2024
Marles orders probe of ‘toxic’ culture in $368b submarine agency
A former top bureaucrat will look at the Australian Submarine Agency amid growing concerns over its structure and staff turnover.
Sex offenders to be booted from military
A major overhaul of how Defence deals with sexual misconduct and justice will be embraced to tackle suicide rates among current and former personnel.
November 2024
Defence considers recruiting from PNG to see off China’s influence
In the jockeying for influence, the South Pacific’s largest nation has emerged as a key target given its proximity to Australia and rich natural resources.
October 2024
Meet the Australian ally who could hand Trump the election
Republican Don Bacon, who served with Australians in the Iraq war, is locked in a tight battle in a state that could tip the balance in a dead-heat election.
Big KPMG team departs Defence data project
More than 70 consultants from the firm have finished working on an ambitious project to better manage and share data held by the sprawling department.
Australian tanks to help evict Russians from Ukraine
The Albanese government has made a U-turn on gifting the army’s old tanks to Ukraine after months of pleading.
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 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.
Talks sanction more US bombers, fighter jets, spy planes in Australia
Annual defence and foreign affairs talks will see Australia deepen its role as the US’s “unsinkable aircraft carrier” in a potential conflict with China.
July 2024
AUKUS navy chiefs sound alarm over China, Russia, Iran collaboration
The head of the US Navy warns that “unfettered access” to the sea for trade is at risk from authoritarian countries dubbed the “axis of upheaval”
Australia goes missing as Red Sea crisis deepens
The Houthis have been remarkably persistent in disrupting global trade. But there is a deeper strategic cost to Australia as well.