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Ben PackhamForeign affairs and defence correspondent

Ben Packham is The Australian’s foreign affairs and defence correspondent. He has been a journalist for more than 25 years and is the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Lowy Institute Media Award.

@bennpackham

Ben Packham

Latest

Defence white paperNation

Soldiers take cover behind a Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle as a CH-47 Chinook lifts off at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Central Queensland during Exercise Hamel 2018.

Australia must be up for conventional war

A new Defence white paper update says more assertive behaviour by major powers present immediate challenges to Australia.

Ben Packham

Defence

ANU Head of Security College Rory Medcalf

Defence boost still may not be enough

Experts are questioning whether the $270bn defence funding envelope will be enough to deliver the full range of promised capabilities.

Ben Packham

Defence

Clarence Ong Qantas cabin crew member now working at Luerssen Ship builders in Henderson,Western Australia.Pic:Tony McDonough

Industry rallies for sidelined workers

The defence industry is turning to sidelined Qantas and Virgin workers and former Holden employees to meet skill shortages.

Ben Packham

strained relationsPolitics

A pro-China supporter holds a Chinese and Hong Kong national flag during a rally to celebrate the approval of a national security law for Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Hong Kong media are reporting that China has approved a contentious law that would allow authorities to crack down on subversive and secessionist activity in Hong Kong, sparking fears that it would be used to curb opposition voices in the semi-autonomous territory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Hong Kong law ‘none of your business’

China has slammed criticism over a new Hong Kong security law, saying other countries should keep their noses out.

Ben Packham

regionPolitics

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne speaks to the media at Penrith in Sydney, Monday, May 18, 2020. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING

Canberra to enlist ASEAN in China row

Australia will step up co-operation with Southeast Asian nations to counter rising strategic threats from China.

Ben Packham

ExclusiveDefence

Anzac-class frigates HMAS Ballarat (155), HMAS Anzac (150) and HMAS Stuart (153) transit through Cockburn Sound in Western Australia on the way to Fleet Base West. *** Local Caption *** The Anzac Class is based on the German Meko 200 frigate design with eight ships being constructed in Australia as part of the overall plan to upgrade the Royal Australian Navy. Anzacs are long-range escorts with roles including air defence, anti submarine warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. The ships are capable of countering simultaneous threats from the air, surface and sub-surface. Powered by a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion plant permits speeds in excess of 27 knots with an operational range of more than 6000 nautical miles.

Up in arms as Brits snare defence work

BAE Systems is facing a backlash after it excluded local firms from bidding to supply key equipment on the Future Frigates.

Ben Packham

Politics

Australia’s fake news fightback

China’s political manipulation of social media sites has prompted a swift response from the Morrison government.

Ben Packham and David Swan

ExclusiveNation

Tyumen, Russia - January 21, 2020: TikTok and Facebook application on screen Apple iPhone XR

Foes to be hit with fake-news fightback

Countering Foreign Interference unit to target disinformation campaigns by strategic competitors such as China.

Ben Packham

Politics

John Zhang (R) has been implicated in the raids targeting Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane (L).

Raids first test of laws on foreign interference

Raids on the home and parliamentary office of NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane are the first test for national security laws.

Joe Kelly and Ben Packham

ExclusiveDefence

Federal Defence Minister Linda Reynolds poses for a photo next to a model of the Barracuda-class submarine during a visit to Naval Group in Adelaide, Friday, February 28, 2020. The federal government has vowed to hold a French company to account after it pledged to spend 60 per cent of its $80 million submarine contract within Australia. (AAP Image/David Mariuz) NO ARCHIVING

Military hardware takes a corona hit

The federal government is bracing for months of coronavirus delays for up to $200bn worth of Defence programs.

Ben Packham

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/ben-packham/page/188