PM defends role in Pacific amid China deal
Labor has attacked the Morrison government for not acting sooner to prevent a security deal from being signed between China and the Solomon Islands.
international relations
Reunion joy as Australia-NZ flights resume
Jacinda Ardern says the reopening of flights between Australia and New Zealand feels longer-lasting this time around amid joyful airport family reunions.
Australia yet to eye Sino-Solomon pact
Australia doesn't have any more information about the Sino-Solomons pact after its "initialling" last week, the government's top foreign affairs official says.
Sino-Solomons pact forces military rethink
The defence force's joint operations chief says Chinese navy vessels in the Solomons would change Australian military operations.
Australia ‘alienates’ Pacific: Albanese
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese says Australia must improve action on climate change to keep its relationship with Pacific nations friendly.
Solomons-China link ‘gravely concerns’ NZ
New Zealand has urged the Solomon Islands to find their security arrangements from within the Pacific family of nations, rather than China.
Diplomacy with China shows weakness: PM
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says conciliation is the "last message" he would send to China after it signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands
Australia-India deal to improve relations
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and India's Narendra Modi held a virtual summit on Monday to iron out an expected $280 million investment package.
NZ reopening to Australians from April 13
New Zealand will reopen to Australia from next month, with the Kiwi tourism minister telling Aussies, "We have missed you".
Foreign minister meets Chinese ambassador
Foreign Minister Marise Payne has spoken to China's new ambassador Xiao Qian, delivering a frank assessment of Australia's concerns with the communist regime.
No submarine decision before election: PM
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says there will be no decision on nuclear propelled submarines ahead of the federal election due in May.
Australia pushes to isolate Russian sports
Sports Minister Richard Colbeck says athletes and teams representing Russia or Belarus are not welcome in Australia.
Omicron prompts NZ into border shake-up
From later this week, Kiwis abroad will no longer need to quarantine or self-isolate to enter New Zealand.
Quad eyes expansion to curb China, Russia
Australia, the United States, India and Japan will investigate how they might collectively open up dialogue to other countries as part of the Quad alliance.
‘Trust’ Australia will act on Russia
Foreign Minister Marise Payne has called on Russia to de-escalate its military presence alongside the Lithuanian foreign minister who's visiting Canberra.
‘Time to move’: Ardern shifts NZ borders
Kiwis in Australia can skip quarantine to enter New Zealand later this month and by July, all Australians can visit under new border changes.
Australia Ukraine plan regrettable: envoy
Russia's ambassador to Australia has expressed regret at Australia's decision to issue a Do Not Travel warning to Ukraine, talking down invasion fears.
Government MPs back WeChat boycott
Chinese-Australian MP Gladys Liu will boycott WeChat as a communication platform with Chinese constituents after it hijacked the prime minister's account.
Treasurer calls for equal WeChat access
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says Chinese social media platform WeChat should be available to all politicians to communicate with Australia's Chinese community.
Learning aid bound for Tongan children
Save the Children are providing support and relief to the around 28,000 children affected by the natural disaster as recovery efforts in the country continue.
Australia-PNG sign $580m port upgrade deal
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has agreed a $580 million port upgrade deal with Papua New Guinea's leader James Marape.
Aid flights touch down in devastated Tonga
Australian and NZ aircraft carrying humanitarian aid have landed in Tonga to help the Pacific nation recover from the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Australian, NZ relief heads to Tonga
Australian and New Zealand military aircraft and ships are heading to Tonga to provide emergency disaster relief, as the tsunami's impact becomes clearer.
RAAF flights ready for Tonga aid mission
Two RAAF planes and HMAS Adelaide are readying to depart Australia for Tonga to provide emergency disaster relief as soon as conditions allow.
NZ considering new COVID border strategy
COVID-19 Minister Chris Hipkins says New Zealand will make a fresh call on border settings "within the next couple of weeks".
Australia, Japan solemnise security pact
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have signed a "historic" treaty that has already drawn comment from Beijing.