Albanese aligns Australia’s destiny with Southeast Asia
Anthony Albanese insists Australia's destiny is in Southeast Asia, as China's influence in the region loomed over the end of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
international relations
German officer used unsecured line for hacked call
A participant on a German military call about Ukraine intercepted by Russia had dialled in via a non-secure line, Germany's defence minister says.
Crocodile cuddles as regional leaders snap family photo
Australia will launch a $2 billion program to turbocharge trade with Southeast Asia, as regional leaders get up close and personal with crocodiles and koalas.
‘Not ideal’: NZ Defence Force plane lets down PM Luxon
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon is scrambling to make his way to Melbourne on commercial flights after a breakdown of his Defence Force plane.
ASEAN kicks off with a cash splash, talks and protests
Australia and a major regional player signed new agreements, leaders held high level talks and protesters staged noisy rallies as the ASEAN summit kicked off.
‘We will not yield’: Philippines leader urges support
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has given an address to federal parliament, warning of growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
Dutton backs Israel as offensive looms in southern Gaza
Australia's opposition leader is backing Israel as it prepares for a ground offensive in southern Gaza despite warnings from leaders of a looming catastrophe.
Exports to China soar to $17bn as trade barriers fall
Australia has sent a record amount of agricultural exports to China as trade barriers fall following a thawing of relations between the two countries.
PM ‘very concerned’ about Israeli offensive on Rafah
Australia's prime minister has expressed serious concerns about the threat to civilian lives as Israel prepares a full-blown attack on Rafah in southern Gaza.
PNG wants to stand on its ‘own two feet’: PM Marape
The leaders of Australia and Papua New Guinea have discussed regional and economic security after James Marape made history by addressing federal MPs.
Australia’s despair at writer’s death sentence in China
The prime minister has expressed dismay and despair after a Chinese-Australian writer was handed a suspended death sentence.
Grants for Australians harmed in Hamas attack on Israel
Up to $75,000 is available to Australians harmed in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, as the Australian and US foreign ministers hold talks.
China hits out at Australia-NZ ‘seamless’ military goal
China says Australia and New Zealand risk going "further down the wrong and dangerous path" after the trans-Tasman allies agreed on deeper military integration.
NZ eyes place in AUKUS alliance after trans-Tasman trip
Australian foreign and defence ministers, Penny Wong and Richard Marles, have hosted their New Zealand counterparts for trans-Tasman security talks.
NZ firms up AUKUS desire ahead of trans-Tasman talks
Australian and New Zealand foreign and defence ministers will meet together for the first time in Melbourne, with AUKUS high on the agenda.
Gaza aid pause slammed as ‘collective punishment’
Palestine's envoy has expressed concern about Australia freezing funding to a United Nations organisation after allegations some staff were linked to Hamas.
Russian Medibank hacker first to be hit with sanctions
The Australian government has imposed cyber sanctions for the first time, naming Russian Aleksandr Ermakov as the man responsible for the Medibank data breach.
Further sanctions against Middle East terror groups
Australia has imposed fresh sanctions against three groups and 12 people with links to proscribed terror groups Hamas, Hizbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
China chastises Australia for Taiwan election support
The Chinese ambassador is seeking to meet with Australian officials to raise objections to statements of support for Taiwan's democratic election.
Wong sounds alarm over civilian deaths and ‘just’ peace
Penny Wong has shared Australia's concerns about the "dire" humanitarian situation in Gaza and the rising number of Palestinians being killed.
‘No safe place’: Aid group warns of relief delays
Aid organisations say the situation in Gaza means it would be several days before Australian relief funds for the region get on the ground.
War of words over foreign minister’s Middle East trip
Jewish groups are calling for the foreign minister to visit the site of a massacre while Palestinians want Penny Wong to take a stronger stance against Israel.
Taiwan tries to lure Australian MPs as China watches on
Australian parliamentarians are set to be invited to visit Taiwan to meet the new leadership team after a historic win by the pro-democracy political party.
Taiwan loses ally Nauru to China in post-election ploy
The Pacific island nation of Nauru is switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, a move Tapei has slammed as a "a blatant attack on democracy".
PNG asks Australia for helicopter after deadly unrest
Australia's government remains in constant communication with Papua New Guinea and has received requests for assistance after deadly rioting and civil unrest.
Palestinian envoy urges Australia to back genocide case
A top Palestinian diplomat has contacted the foreign minister urging Australia to support an investigation into potential genocidal actions in Gaza.
Wider Pacific unrest fears downplayed as riots rock PNG
Australia is monitoring unrest and violence in neighbouring Papua New Guinea with reports law and order are slowly being re-introduced in Port Moresby.
Australia urged to support genocide case against Israel
Palestininian Australians want the federal government to support a genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Winston Peters rules out expelling Russian ambassador
Russia's ambassador will remain in New Zealand after a decision from Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who is also mulling the future of envoy Jacinda Ardern.
NZ PM Luxon visits Australia for security talks
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon is set to touch down in Sydney for talks with Anthony Albanese, the Kiwi leader's debut on the international stage.
Diplomacy favoured by PM over warship to Red Sea
Australia could contribute better to Middle East stability through diplomacy, says the prime minister as the government mulls a request to send a warship.