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Former prime minister Scott Morrison.

Scott Morrison backs new AUKUS plan, urges Australia not to ‘surrender’ to doubt

The Defence Department boss, navy chief and senior ministers said it was always Australia’s preference to acquire second-hand submarines from the US.

  • Matthew Knott

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese travelled to Vanuatu last year but left without signing a 10-year security pact.

China accused of using diplomatic theft to freeze Australia out in Pacific

China is intensifying its efforts to expand its influence in the Pacific and stymie a $500 million treaty deal between Australia and Vanuatu.

  • Matthew Knott
Drones

‘Star Wars in Australia’: This anti-drone laser system can hit targets the size of a 10-cent piece

The Australian-made laser system is being put on a fast track for use by the defence force as part of a $7 billion spend on drone-killing technology.

  • Matthew Knott
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government was making the biggest ever peacetime increase in defence spending.

This is a big step forward on defence for Australia. Too bad we’re playing catch-up

The commitments of Australia’s new defence strategy and investment plan are necessary. But governments have been warned of the gathering storm for years.

  • Rory Medcalf
The US is due to sell Australia at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement.

Australia seals UK defence deal with $300m for AUKUS sub reactors

The new spending is the first payment for Rolls-Royce equipment to be installed in the first AUKUS boats, as Defence Minister Pat Conroy visits his British counterpart in London.

  • David Crowe
Morrison made a speech at a Jerusalem antisemitism conference overnight in which he demanded Australian Islamic institutions enforce stricter regulations to quash “radical Islam”.

Muslim leaders slam Morrison as ‘reckless, irresponsible’ after Islam speech

Andrew Bragg has urged Australian Muslims to take some responsibility for religious extremism, after Scott Morrison told an antisemitism conference in Israel that Islamic leaders should enforce stronger standards on their communities.

  • Brittany Busch and Mostafa Rachwani
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Anthony Albanese captures a selfie with Donald Trump in New York in September.

The key card Albanese can play to keep Trump onside in Oval Office

Avoiding a “Zelensky moment” or the humiliation of South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa will be a top priority for the prime minister as he walks into the White House this week.

  • Michael Koziol
A Ghost Bat drone at RAAF Base Amberley in 2022.

ADF to introduce billion-dollar drone dome over Brisbane 2032

Australia is set to spend $1.3 billion on new counter-drone measures, with the technology to be ready to protect 2032 Olympic sites.

  • Cameron Atfield
An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank during an exercise at Puckapunyal in Victoria in 2018.

Australian tanks arrive in Ukraine after nine-month wait

Around 40 Australian army tanks have arrived in Ukraine to help defend the country against Vladimir Putin’s invading Russian forces.

  • Matthew Knott
PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese announcing the inclusion of a PNG team in the NRL.

‘Better than a veto’: NRL soft power play packs a secret punch on China

The announcement of a new NRL team was about so much more than a new NRL team. The setting of the press conference told the story.

  • Matthew Knott