Your morning Briefing: Calls to bolster north as China threat grows

Your 2-minute digest of today’s top stories and must-reads.

Hello readers. Australia warned it needs to look to its northern borders as China threat grows, and Aussies hold on for a draw at Lord’s.

Australian Army riflemen from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conduct a simulated assault with United States Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey support on the urban operations training facility at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. *** Local Caption *** Soldiers from 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conducted training on United States Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys and used the aircraft to insert into a fictional town to practice urban assault drills at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area on 25 May 2019. The training was part of Exercise Southern Jackaroo with members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and United States Marine Rotation Force – Darwin. Exercise Southern Jackaroo involves over 700 Australian, Japanese and United States troops and aims to enhance interoperability, increase rapport and improve combined tactical, administrative and logistical operations.

Calls to bolster north to counter China threat

Australia has been warned it must test its ­ability to defend its northern border­s, amid expansion­ of Chinese interests in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, a university chancellor says clarity is needed about where universities can, and cannot, work with China.

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Honeymoon’s over: Newspoll

The Coalition’s commanding electoral lead over Labor has slipped, in a sign the post-election honeymoon has ended, according to the latest Newspoll.

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England's Ben Stokes, left and Australia's Pat Cummins shake hands as England and Australia draw the 2nd Ashes Test cricket match in the final over on the fifth day between at Lord's cricket ground in London, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Aussies hold on for draw

The Aussies have held on for dramatic draw in a Lord’s Test that had it all. Gideon Haigh writes that Marnus Labuschagne is not Steve Smith but he saved the day.

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Premier under pressure

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is under increasing pressure to dump her chief of staff over allegations of ‘corrupt’ conduct.

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ABC program Q&A and host Tony Jones will film an episode in Townsville on March 18. Picture: Supplied

ToJo’s seductive pitch to ScoMo

Scott Morrison’s edict to ‘keep politics off the front page’ has had a big impact on the ABC’s Q&A, writes Nick Tabakoff in Media Diary.

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HONG KONG, CHINA - AUGUST 18: Thousands of anti-government protesters march on a street after leaving a rally in Victoria Park on August 18, 2019 in Hong Kong, China. Pro-democracy protesters have continued rallies on the streets of Hong Kong against a controversial extradition bill since 9 June as the city plunged into crisis after waves of demonstrations and several violent clashes. Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam apologized for introducing the bill and declared it "dead", however protesters have continued to draw large crowds with demands for Lam's resignation and completely withdraw the bill. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

March of the brave as HK stands firm

In Hong Kong, 1.7 million people rallied despite rain and rumours that police were preparing to escalate methods.

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Treasurer stokes bank overhaul

Josh Frydenberg will implement “the biggest shake-up” of financial services in three decades.

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Zanetti’s view

Paul Zanetti Letters Cartoon for 19-08-19Version: Letters Cartoon (1280x720 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.