Patrick Conroy
Exclusive
Foreign aid
The World Bank head has thoughts on the Pacific – and needs Australia’s help
Ajay Banga will make the first visit to Pacific Island nations by a World Bank leader in almost 50 years.
- by Peter Hartcher
Latest
Australia strikes deal to build our own long-range missiles
The missiles will cost $4 million each and have a range over 275 kilometres.
- by Matthew Knott
Australia buys ‘devastating’ kamikaze drones
The government has acquired Switchblade 300 drones, to be deployed from late 2024, for an undisclosed amount.
- by Dominic Giannini and Tess Ikonomou
Bowen defends use of two jets for one photo op with PM for renewables
The energy minister said the Royal Australian Air Force advised that the Hunter Valley airport couldn’t accommodate the PM’s usual plane.
- by Olivia Ireland and Matthew Knott
Exclusive
Pacific diplomacy
‘There is a contest’: Australia and China jostle for Pacific influence
The federal government has vowed to use every diplomatic tool possible to counter China’s increasingly skilful efforts to expand its influence in the Pacific.
- by Matthew Knott
Exclusive
China relations
Security ties, banking help on the agenda for high-stakes Nauru visit
The Australian government is acting on advice that China is ramping up its efforts in the Pacific after learning from mistakes in the past.
- by David Crowe
Opinion
AUKUS
Labor is so worried about war, it managed to avoid one with itself
Despite the astronomical cost, Defence Minister Richard Marles said AUKUS is a ‘modest step’ in the face of Chinese military expansion. And his party agreed.
- by Peter Hartcher
What Australia’s next generation of army vehicles will look like
A defence expert said the fast-moving infantry fighting vehicles would give Australia ‘the best capability on offer’ to replace personnel carriers from the 1960s.
- by Lachlan Abbott
Exclusive
AUKUS
AUKUS faces first ‘critical hurdle’ in election-focused US Congress
Three months after AUKUS was unveiled in San Diego, a divided Congress stands between Australia and the first stage of the ambitious defence technology sharing pact.
- by Farrah Tomazin
‘Army are on the nose’: Australia warned over slashing of tanks
The Albanese government has decided to cut the number of new infantry fighting vehicles it was planning to purchase to from 450 to 129, which means Australia will only have enough for one mechanised battalion.
- by Anthony Galloway
‘Kick in the guts for army’: Landmark defence review to create winners and losers
Defence companies are bracing for major cuts to orders of Australian-made naval vessels as the government buys “bucket loads of missiles”.
- by Matthew Knott
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/patrick-martin-conroy-6fnj