Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers, speaking in Sydney on May 1, outlines the government's plan to revamp foreign investment rules. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) 
Politics

Australia to boost scrutiny of 'high-risk' foreign investment

Treasurer says reform will toughen and streamline foreign investment

1 May 2024
A voter casts her ballot during a national election in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on April 17. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas via Reuters)
Politics

Solomon Islands election yields no majority for pro-China party

Horse-trading looms for naming the next prime minister

24 April 2024
A Woolworth's in central Sydney. (Photo by Shaun Turton)
Retail

Australia takes aim at the dominance of two big supermarkets

Top chains Woolworths and Coles face scrutiny as prices rise

22 April 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, fourth from left, poses for a photo with ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne on March 5. 
Comment

Australia shifts focus from ASEAN to individual Southeast Asian nations

Move reflects new international political and economic realities

21 April 2024
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on his third visit to Papua New Guinea. 
International relations

China's Wang Yi touts South Pacific ties in Papua New Guinea visit

Foreign minister warns against conducting power rivalry in region

21 April 2024
Manasseh Sogavare, prime minsiter of the Solomon Islands, addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in September 2023.  
Politics

Solomon Islands' pro-China prime minister reelected to parliament

Leader's bid to remain in control of government still undecided

19 April 2024
An Australian Army tank takes part in Super Garuda Shield multi-national military exercise in Baluran, West Java, Indonesia, on September 11, 2023. 
Defense

Australia boosts defense spending to 'transform' military

Defense minister says a more focused, integrated military force needed

17 April 2024
Voters and their families shelter from the rain while waiting to board small boats to vote in their provinces ahead of the election, in the capital Honiara, Solomon Islands, on April 16.
Politics

Pro-China leader faces election test in Solomon Islands

PM Manasseh Sogavare has pulled the Pacific island nation closer to Beijing

16 April 2024
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants to boost government support for domestic manufacturing and tap global demand for clean energy. 
Politics

'Made in Australia' act aims to beef up manufacturing, clean energy

Prime Minister Albanese pushes renewable vision but questions over feasibility persist

11 April 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak deliver remarks on the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) partnership, after a trilateral meeting at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, U.S., on March 13, 2023.
Defense

U.S., U.K. and Australia discuss AUKUS tech cooperation with Japan

Japan seen as potential contributor to 'advanced capability projects'

9 April 2024
Philippine Navy personnel aboard the BRP Davao Del Sur salute the passing vessel Izumo from Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force on Aug. 24, 2023. © Philippine Navy
Defense

Philippines, Japan, Australia, U.S. to hold drills in South China Sea

Exercises demonstrate military ties ahead of US-Japan-Philippines summit

6 April 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, looks on as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signs the visitors' book at Parliament House in Canberra in March. (AAP Image via Reuters)
Opinion

Australia's China policy more effective with disciplined messaging

Canberra needs to strategize use of spectrum of information capabilities

2 April 2024
Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, and U.K. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps sign a new defence and security cooperation agreement at Parliament House in Canberra on March 21.
Defense

Australia to funnel $3bn to U.K. for AUKUS sub reactors, designs

BAE Systems to build the vessels in Adelaide's Osborne shipyard

22 March 2024
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, meets with Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong at Parliament House in Canberra on March 20.
International relations

Australia, China foreign ministers to manage differences 'wisely'

Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi says wine tariff decision due by end of month

20 March 2024
A coal-powered thermal power station in the Hunter Valley in 2021: Australia's Liberal-National coalition proposes to transform some coal plants to nuclear ones.
Opinion

Politics, not policy, has revived Australia's nuclear debate

Even if opposition returns to power, plants unlikely to ever be built

19 March 2024
Members of the main opposition Democratic Party gather at an airport in Incheon, South Korea, on March 10, to protest the departure of Lee Jong-sup for Australia.
Politics

Australia envoy spat shakes South Korea's ruling party ahead of poll

Lee Jong-sup travels to Canberra to assume post after travel ban lifted

13 March 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Canberra on Feb. 29. The two countries are enhancing security cooperation. (AAP via Reuters)
Comment

U.S. allies in Indo-Pacific tremble at prospect of Trump return

Middle powers Japan, Philippines and Australia explore security cooperation

9 March 2024
Australian and U.S. navy ships in the South China Sea in 2020: The Australian military has been used most heavily in the service of U.S. alliance interests and crisis responses.
Opinion

Australia needs a new strategy to guide its defense planning

By establishing priorities, Canberra can better prioritize use of resources

7 March 2024
Leaders from Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations pose for an official photo during a summit in Melbourne on March 5.
International relations

Amid cyberscam threats, ASEAN-Australia pledge to tackle human trafficking

Expert says Australia must do more to fight transnational crime in Southeast Asia

6 March 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at a news conference with his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, in Melbourne on March 5. 
Trade

Australia unveils $1.3bn fund for investment with ASEAN

Albanese pledges to support companies taking larger role in fast-developing region

5 March 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, stands beside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor of Victoria Margaret Gardner during a ceremony March 4 in Melbourne. 
5 March 2024
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong discusses maritime security at the ASEAN-Australia Summit in Melbourne on March 4 (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
International relations

Australia wants 'region where no one country dominates': FM Wong

Tensions with China over contested waters top agenda at ASEAN-Australia summit

4 March 2024
The opening ceremony of National People's Congress in Mach 2023 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Photo by Yusuke Hinata)
Your Week in Asia

China 'Two Sessions', ASEAN-Australia Summit, Malaysia rate decision

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

3 March 2024
Pro-Palestine protesters march to the Sydney Opera House on Oct. 9: Police advised the Jewish community to stay away from the rally.
Opinion

Australia's clampdown on hate crimes should protect Jews too

Upsurge in antisemitic incidents and threats yet to result in police action

3 March 2024
From left, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak deliver remarks on the AUKUS defense partnership at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego in 2023.
Defense

AUKUS weighs Japan's participation in defense tech development

Ahead of PM Kishida's visit in April, U.S. leads talks with U.K. and Australia

2 March 2024