New Zealand defies China on AUKUS, Pacific engagement
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon is set to visit China after an invitation from visiting Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
international relations
Wine being chilled to toast possible end to China beef
There is cautious optimism from Australian producers that a landmark visit by China's foreign minister could signal the end of punitive trade barriers.
Fiji upholds China policing agreement: media report
Fiji has "restored" a decade-old police co-operation deal with China that had been put on hold by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, an Australian news site says.
Tariffs, human rights on agenda for Chinese visit
Foreign Minister Penny Wong will host Chinese counterpart Wang Yi as Beijing prepares to remove trade impediments against Australian wine.
China moves to dump tariffs on $1b wine exports
China has recommended dropping tariffs on Australian wine products weeks ahead of a crucial deadline.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.