This Month
Australia pours millions into Pacific banks to counter China influence
The worry among the national security establishment is some Pacific Island countries will be forced to rely on Chinese financial institutions, which are pushing into the region.
- Ronald Mizen
Australia-US forum aims to solve Pacific banking crisis
Western banks are increasingly withdrawing from Pacific Island nations to “de-risk” their operations, raising fears about China muscling in on the business.
- Ronald Mizen
June
New policing deal to keep China out of the Pacific
Australia has agreed to help Solomon Islands grow its police force following high level leaders’ talks.
- Andrew Tillett
Risk of war with China rising fast, ex-security chief warns
Former Home Affairs Department head Mike Pezzullo wants a new defence production tsar with “superpowers” to shake up how the military acquires weapons.
- Andrew Tillett
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.
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- Australia's China challenge
Singapore talks aim to ‘Trump-proof’ new economic deal
Trade Minister Don Farrell will lead a delegation of top Australian investors to Singapore amid fears over the future of the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
- Andrew Tillett
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.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
May
China sends warships, jets to ‘punish’ Taiwan
Chinese fighter jets have carried live missiles and warships encircled Taiwan in a show of force to “punish” the self-ruled democracy’s new president.
- Andrew Tillett and Jessica Sier
First Aussies home from riot-hit New Caledonia after RAAF rescue
French authorities have given permission for evacuation flights to take off and land in Noumea.
- Andrew Tillett
Airforce on standby to evacuate Australians as French police pour into New Caledonia
Roads were blocked and the airport remained shut, stranding 3200 people, including 300 Australians, in the Pacific nation after a week of riots.
- Kirsty Needham
Australia ready to help Solomons build a defence force: Marles
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will meet Solomon Islands’ new leader Jeremiah Manele in Honiara on Tuesday.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Opinion
Penny Wong must speak up on New Caledonia
It’s time for Australia’s foreign minister to act as the honest friend and tell France that they are mishandling their Pacific territory.
- Hamish McDonald
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.
- Andrew Tillett
- Updated
- Aviation
Liquidators say a ‘clearly’ broke Air Vanuatu owes at least $99m
The airline had “a significant level of debt”, and employed “a high number of staff for an operation of [its] size and nature”.
- Updated
- Ayesha de Kretser
Solomons, PNG win in $1b-plus Pacific play to ward off China
The government will provide funds for telecommunication cables in the Solomon Islands, help Papua New Guinea with a $600 million bailout and upgrade embassies.
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- Australia's China challenge
Meet Taiwan’s ‘matchmaker’ for Australian business
As Taiwan prepares to welcome a new president and bolster economic ties with Australia, the self-ruled island’s envoy issues a warning over Chinese coercion.
- Andrew Tillett
Chinese debt trap diplomacy blamed for grounding Vanuatu airline
Air Vanuatu has gone into voluntary liquidation, putting pressure on the Albanese government to bail out the national carrier.
- Andrew Tillett and Ayesha de Kretser
New Solomons PM still close to China, but more diplomatic
Despite being foreign minister for almost five years, Jeremiah Manele is unlikely to strictly follow the pro-China policy of his predecessor, according to some.
- Updated
- Ben Westcott
April
Chinese influence lingers in Solomons despite Sogavare ouster
The new Solomon Islands government is not expected to be as overtly hostile to Australia after Manasseh Sogavare declared he will not recontest the prime ministership.
- Andrew Tillett
‘You’re the chief now’: Crowds greet Albanese at start of Kokoda Track
Long-time residents of Papua New Guinea said it was the most lavish welcome an Australian leader had received since Paul Keating in 1992.
- Matthew Knott