Australia: News & Insights

Defense

U.S., Australia to 'integrate' Japan into defense initiatives: Austin

In Brisbane, Pentagon chief spotlights China's 'troubling' coercion in Indo-Pacific

28 July 2023

Australian and U.S. navy ships sail in the South China Sea. The new security pact between Australia and Papua New Guinea could allow for closer trilateral cooperation.

Indo-Pacific

Australia-Papua New Guinea security pact delayed on sovereignty debate

Concerns rise in Pacific nation following similar agreement with U.S.

28 July 2023

Visitors stand in front of a giant screen displaying Chinese President Xi Jinping at a military museum in Beijing. Some Japanese experts say a China-led international system is an unrealistic scenario.

Indo-Pacific

'China-led order won't materialize': Japan experts call for realism

Tokyo should team with 'middle powers' for more autonomy, new report says

25 July 2023

Autonomous mining trucks, like this one seen at a trade show, helped BHP Group boost iron ore production.

Companies

Australia's BHP rides driverless trucks to record iron ore output

Miner tries to push through sluggish Chinese demand with higher productivity

21 July 2023

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, left, with Japanese counterpart Yasukazu Hamada in Tokyo in 2022. (Pool via Reuters)

Opinion

The right lessons to take from Australia-Japan defense cooperation

RAA negotiations should be seen as exceptional rather than as a benchmark

20 July 2023

Students from China walk along the Sydney waterfront: Education is Australia's third-largest export but students are sometimes exploited as cheap labor.

Opinion

Australia's immigration experience holds lessons for aging Asia

Influx has boosted economy, but not always matched country's needs

16 July 2023

Michele Bullock has worked at the Reserve Bank of Australia since 1985 after joining as an intern. (AAP/via Reuters)

Economy

Australia picks Michele Bullock as its first female central bank head

RBA veteran expected to ensure continuity as nation battles soaring costs

14 July 2023

China's BYD has amassed large shares of EV markets in Thailand, Australia and other countries.

Automobiles

Chinese EVs gain in Japanese automakers' key markets

Toyota, other Japan brands risk losing ground as consumers embrace electrics

8 July 2023

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, speaks as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese listens during a joint statement in Sydney on July 4.

International relations

Australia extends business visas for Indonesians

Leaders Albanese and Widodo promote economic ties at Sydney meeting

4 July 2023

Indonesian leader Joko Widodo's tenure has seen improved diplomatic and economic ties with neighbor Australia. (Source photos  by AP, Reuters and Getty)

International relations

Indonesia's Jokowi eyes EV lithium deals on Australia visit

Boosting trade in focus at meeting with PM Anthony Albanese

3 July 2023

A carbon capture and storage facility in Canada. The technology is considered indispensable for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Climate Change

Japan to propose carbon capture rules with ASEAN, Australia

Guidelines expected to lower costs and building times for storage facilities

22 June 2023

Qantas Airways last updated its dress regulations about 10 years ago. Seen here are uniforms that were unveiled in 2016.

Transportation

Qantas goes gender-neutral with dress code to aid hiring spree

Aussie carrier lets women jettison heels; Air New Zealand plans new uniforms

22 June 2023

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has suffered a major setback after his centerpiece policy to deal with one of the world's most unaffordable housing markets was put on the back burner. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)

Property

Australia's housing affordability crisis shakes Albanese government

With election on horizon, many in country struggling to buy homes or pay rent

21 June 2023

CP Foods expects to ship 500 to 600 tons of cooked duck meat to Australia this year, adding 300 million to 400 million baht to its annual revenue. (Photo by Francesca Regalado)

Food & Beverage

Australia opens cooked duck market to Thailand's CP Foods

Agribusiness giant flags 30% cost increase, potential drought impact

14 June 2023

Indo-Pacific

NATO to upgrade ties with Australia, New Zealand, South Korea

Together with Japan, four nations will have tailored partnership programs

13 June 2023

Trilateral coast guard exercises between Japan, the Philippines and the U.S. in June: Countries with shared interests should coordinate for efficient capacity building.

Opinion

Southeast Asia's partners must coordinate maritime security support

Programs are boosting regional capacity, but overlap distracts from missions

13 June 2023

Australia is aiming to lure tech sector skills with a proposed immigration policy review. © AAP

Politics

Australia to overhaul immigration policy, joining race for talent

As migrant nation tries to lure highly skilled professionals, SMEs grow worried

12 June 2023

Andrew Yates, CEO of KPMG Australia, testifies in Canberra on June 7 at a Senate hearing related to the PwC tax scandal. (AAP)

Opinion

Australia is finally waking up to the 'Big Con'

Hearings on PwC's leakage of tax plans have uncovered shocking web of conflicts

11 June 2023

Indonesian Heavy equipment and mining company United Tractors says a minority stake purchase in Australia's Nickel Industries, a major global producer of nickel pig iron, is part of its diversification. (Screenshot from United Tractors and Nickel Industries websites)

Commodities

Indonesia's United Tractors to buy $633m stake in Australian miner

Top conglomerate Astra International seeks entry into EV battery materials

9 June 2023

Royal Australian Navy replenishment vessel HMAS Starwart and submarine tender USS Frank Cable are moored at HMAS Stirling Navy Base in Perth. The Australian base is expected to become a key maintenance hub under the AUKUS pact.

Indo-Pacific

Quad needs more muscle to live up to potential: think tank

Share ports and shipyards for refueling, rearming and repairs, USSC says

7 June 2023

True reform requires governments taking full responsibility for monetary and fiscal policy as well as bank regulation. Central banks should assume an instrumental role.

Opinion

Australia's central bank review missed its mark

Real RBA reform is needed, beginning with a rethink of its independence

5 June 2023

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, shakes hands with Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on June 4. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)

International relations

Australia and Vietnam solidify ties with Albanese visit

Leaders look forward to upgrading bilateral relationship 'as soon as possible'

5 June 2023

The defense chiefs from Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the U.S. met on the sidelines of the conference. (Photo by Ryo Nakamura)

Indo-Pacific

Philippines to step up ties with U.S.-Japan-Australia coalition

New defense arrangement includes cooperation in South China Sea

3 June 2023

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gives the keynote address for the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Indo-Pacific

No U.S.-China talks risks 'devastating' outcomes: Australian PM

Albanese calls for dialogue between the two powers in Shangri-La keynote address

2 June 2023

New Zealand Defense Minister Andrew Little tells Nikkei his country has an interest in eventually cooperating with the U.S., U.K. and Australia in technologies that might lead to breaking encryptions. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)

Indo-Pacific

New Zealand interested in AUKUS cooperation in non-nuclear tech

Defense chief says country eyeing cybersecurity, AI, quantum computing

2 June 2023