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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

STUDENT TRAVEL WARNINGSPolitics

21/02/2020: Chinese Students Delayed in Thailand.Girl In Black - Sulli Qiam, 18 Years old. From Su Zhau Studies at USYD. Been in Bangkok 8 days. PIC: Jonathan Taylor for The Australian

This isn’t our doing, PM tells Beijing

Scott Morrison says Australia has ‘done nothing to injure’ the nation’s partnership with China.

Ben Packham

FOREIGN AFFAIRSNation

Sir Michael Somare, standing with his treasurer Patrick Pruaitch, holds a press conference with his loyal MP's to reaffirm his intentions of being Prime Minister of PNG, at the Ella Beach Hotel. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

PNG foreign minister suspended over ‘misconduct’

Patrick Pruaitch, who ordered a review of a deal with Australia over the use of Manus Island’s naval base, will face an inquiry.

Ben Packham

exclusivePolitics

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Thursday, May 28, 2020. China's ceremonial legislature has endorsed a national security law for Hong Kong that has strained relations with the United States and Britain. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

No change while Xi reigns: ex-envoy

A former diplomat in Beijing says the Australia-China relationship is unlikely to improve while Xi Jinping remains in power.

Ben Packham

Politics

Humanitarian crisis on our doorstep

An estimated 20 per cent of Indonesia’s population of 268 million is at risk of falling into extreme poverty due to the pandemic.

Ben Packham

LIVE: CORONAVIRUS CRISISNation

Prime Minister Scott Morrison during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, June 11, 2020. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Court bans Sydney refugee march

A refugee rally planned for Sydney on Saturday has been prohibited by the NSW Supreme Court amid fears over the spread of COVID-19.

Geoff Chambers, Rachel Baxendale, Simon Benson and Richard Ferguson

exclusiveNation

PNG puts Manus deal in jeopardy

Papua New Guinea has ordered a review of an agreement with Australia over the use of Manus Island’s Lombrum Naval Base.

Ben Packham

exclusivePolitics

Pacific Leadership and Governance Student graduating at the University of Papua New Guinea in 2019. Supplied

PNG aid program wins stay of execution

The Morrison government has offered a last-minute reprieve for a flagship aid program in Papua New Guinea.

Ben Packham

Higher Education

Abbey Shi and Clement Decheng Sun are Chinese students at the University of Sydney. Talking about their experiences during the pandemic. Picture - Chris Pavlich for The Australian

China students reject racism claim

The government has formally protested to Beijing over its claims of racism, as Chinese nationals downplayed the allegations.

Ben Packham and Richard Ferguson

Defence

Shortfin Barracuda submarine. Picture: Naval Group

‘We won’t wear a Greek scandal’

Australian industry fears the only local company in the running to win a big contract on the new submarines will be beaten by a Greek rival.

Ben Packham

Landmark reportPolitics

China spying, tech-theft ‘has global reach’

Beijing’s influence across the globe stretches deeper than imagined, warns the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

Ben Packham

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/ben-packham/page/190