This Month
- Exclusive
- PNG
Bigger than sport: PNG’s PM on getting an NRL team
James Marape, Papua New Guinea’s prime minister, says the bid to join the NRL goes way beyond sport and commerce for the country, and will also benefit Australia.
- Angela Macdonald-Smith
August
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.
- Andrew Tillett
September 2023
Ruthless Welsh deliver disastrous day for Australian rugby
Australia’s record loss to Wales is a disaster for Australian Rugby and Eddie Jones could very well resign.
- Simon Poidevin
July 2023
Blinken warns of China’s ‘problematic behaviour’ in Pacific
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the tiny kingdom of Tonga, as the US steps up diplomatic efforts in the Pacific to counter China’s influence.
- Lucy Craymer
March 2023
The new cybercriminal gang Australian businesses need to watch out for
A new cybercriminal gang called Medusa is targeting businesses in Australia, the US and the Indo-Pacific.
- Max Mason
May 2022
China waters down Pacific plan in the hope of a deal
Beijing has watered down its proposed Pacific Island security and economic deal after some nations complained China tried to railroad the deal through without proper consultation.
- Michael Smith and Andrew Tillett
March 2022
This war is testing the myth of Elon Musk
The SpaceX CEO has made a reputation for inserting himself into emergency situations and promising a solution, whether the parties involved request his help or not.
- Marina Koren
February 2022
Elon Musk’s newest satellites drop out of orbit after solar storm
Up to 40 of the 49 satellites launched last week have either burned up, re-entered the atmosphere or are about to.
- Marcia Dunn, Nick Perry and David Rising
January 2022
COVID-19 disrupts aid flight to tsunami-hit Tonga
The UN says assessment teams have reached most parts of the country, including remote and isolated islands, and it is concerned about access to safe water for 50,000 people.
- Updated
- Praveen Menon and Kirsty Needham
First aid flights arrive in Tonga
New Zealand and Australia each sent military transport planes that were carrying water containers, kits for temporary shelters, generators, hygiene supplies and communications equipment.
- Nick Perry
Tsunami-hit Tonga islands suffered ‘catastrophic’ damage
Tonga police have told the New Zealand High Commission that the confirmed death toll stands at two, but with communications in the South Pacific island nation cut, the true extent of casualties was not clear.
- Jane Wardell, Praveen Menon and Kirsty Needham
Morrison government announces $1m initial Tonga aid package
Australia is expected to send its first C-130 relief flight to Tonga on Tuesday, with more aid likely in coming days as the tsunami damage is assessed.
- Jacob Greber
Tonga shrouded by ash and mystery after volcano eruption
As concerns grew, the nation of about 100,000 remained largely cut off from the rest of world, its undersea internet cables knocked out of commission by the volcano.
- Natasha Frost, Mitra Taj and Eric Nagourney
October 2021
- Opinion
- Australia's China challenge
Telstra joins Team Australia on China
Telstra would have no interest in Digicel without the federal government’s prodding and the generous taxpayer funding that allows it to proceed.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Exclusive
- Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin dream brewing in Tonga
A Tongan parliamentarian aims to push through legislation that will make bitcoin legal tender in Tonga, joining the pa’anga. Its central bank is yet to be convinced.
- Tom Richardson
August 2021
Ardern under pressure to open borders as labour shortages bite
The dairy, horticulture, housing, services, health and broader public sector have all reported acute staff shortages, and called on the government to raise border blocks.
- Praveen Menon
July 2021
Telstra caught in China row
Shareholders are alarmed the telco could be used as a Morrison government tool to outbid the Asian nation buying the Digicel Pacific phone network.
- Lucas Baird, John Kehoe and Andrew Tillett
Telstra in Digicel talks that could block China in Pacific
Telstra has confirmed discussions to buy Digicel Pacific in partnership with the federal government to block China, as revealed by the Financial Review last week.
- Updated
- Lucas Baird and John Kehoe
September 2020
- Exclusive
- Pacific diplomacy
Mooted sale of Westpac's Pacific businesses raises China concerns
There is concern within the ranks of the Morrison government that Westpac's potential sale of its PNG and Fiji businesses could undermine the Pacific Step-up.
- Andrew Tillett
August 2020
- Opinion
- Global economy
Australia's big soft power test
Australia cannot recover well if our neighbouring region is destabilised and deteriorating. This is a major diplomatic challenge.
- Gordon Cairns