July
AUKUS ‘as well, not instead’: Morrison lashes Labor on defence
Following testimony to Congress, former PM Scott Morrison said scrimping on defence had angered the Pentagon and diminished Australia’s ability to deter China.
Rudd ‘confident’ on AUKUS review, rejects defence spending claims
Australia’s ambassador to the US rejects suggestions Canberra is not spending enough on defence and says issues raised about AUKUS will be resolved.
Europe to stockpile critical minerals due to risk of war
General Carsten Breuer, the German chief of defence, warned last month that Russia could attack an EU member state within the next four years.
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
Defence minister left in the dark over formal reporting
The military has been accused of hiding bad news by failing to provide formal updates to Richard Marles on the ADF’s readiness for war.
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.
Leadership, stupid, is the missing ingredient for economic reform
Our economic reform drought has not been for a lack of consensus. What leaders are lacking is sound political judgment, the will and the skill to get it done.
Think Santos is a FIRB headache? Austal is another thing altogether
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will have to make some big calls on allowing foreign investors to buy up critical Australian energy and defence assets this year.
PM plays down AUKUS review but puffs up defence
The federal government will seek to reassure the US of its commitment to defence spending and has not ruled out bringing some projects forward.
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.
Hanwha says it has the green light to buy all of Austal, if it wants
But the ASX-listed shipbuilder said the approval from US foreign investment officials claimed by the Korean conglomerate was “different to that claimed”.
Australian firms cash in on Europe’s security crisis
Europe and the UK are spending billions of dollars to rapidly re-arm because of the Ukraine war and demands from Donald Trump.
Military chief warns of war waged from home shores
The acting head of the Defence Department said he was not surprised the US was calling for Australia to lift defence spending.
‘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
Bradfield candidates separated by votes in single digits
Earlier the count was separated by just one vote; Magda Szubanski diagnosed with “nasty” cancer. How the day unfolded.
Ghost Bat military drone decision looms for minister
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy says this term will be one of delivery for major military projects, rebuffing complaints from industry.
Pilots’ disorientation behind fatal army helicopter crash
Defence investigators said mechanical failure did not cause the crash that prompted a decision to dispose of and scrap Taipan helicopters.