Today
- Exclusive
- Defence
Australia needs to arm up by late 2026: Hastie
If he becomes defence minister after the next election, Andrew Hastie will move to rapidly acquire new weapons amid warnings of possible conflict with China in 2027.
- Andrew Tillett
This Month
Marles denies sinister meaning in AUKUS ‘political commitments’
The new AUKUS treaty does not lock Australia into accepting nuclear waste from the US and UK, or commit to joining a war over Taiwan.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- Big four consultants
Big four’s river of gold from taxpayers slashed 50pc
The Department of Defence recorded the biggest fall in spending as Labor cuts the public service’s reliance on outside advice.
- Ronald Mizen
- Exclusive
- Defence
Prominent think tank fears the loss of its ‘superpower’
The rarefied world of public intellectuals and scholars is braced for a bombshell following a government review into think tank funding.
- Emma Connors
- Exclusive
- Legal industry
How the NACC helped a global law firm take top spot for taxpayer work
“I think the NACC certainly has sharpened people’s focus on integrity,” says Holly McAdam, the firm’s head of Commonwealth government.
- Ronald Mizen
July
- Exclusive
- Defence
The ‘criminal price tag’ for the navy’s new warships is $4b a pop
A new fleet of frigates will cost almost $4 billion each, even before weapons are fitted, it can be revealed, making them the navy’s most expensive warship.
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- AUKUS
‘Show me the evidence’: AUKUS tsar challenges critics
Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead says there will be setbacks but Australia is on track to meet key milestones under AUKUS.
- Andrew Tillett
AUKUS navy chiefs sound alarm over China, Russia, Iran collaboration
The head of the US Navy warns that “unfettered access” to the sea for trade is at risk from authoritarian countries dubbed the “axis of upheaval”
- Andrew Tillett
White House, Westminster turmoil won’t jeopardise AUKUS: navy chiefs
Top commanders of the three AUKUS navies have signed a ‘Statement of Intent for Lethality’ and say politics won’t get in the way.
- Andrew Tillett
Air force officials rebuff concerns over slow pace of missile defence
Military experts have warned Australia is not moving quickly enough to be able to defend itself against missile strikes amid lessons from Ukraine and Israel.
- Andrew Tillett
Britain still good for delivery of AUKUS subs, Marles says
The defence minister has rushed to Britain to reassure himself that the new Labour government is up to the challenge of developing a new nuclear-powered fleet.
- Hans van Leeuwen
‘Like lockdown, in a tube’: Aussies taking the plunge in nuclear subs
After up to 18 months of training, three Australian submariners will deploy on British Astute-class boats. It’s a small step on the long road to AUKUS.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Defence deal with Accenture breached rules: auditor-general
The Defence Department’s acquisition of a computer system for security vetting was at odds with Commonwealth purchasing rules.
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- AUKUS
Senior WA minister airs doubts on AUKUS submarine schedule
WA Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia believes Australia is likely to receive five US-made nuclear-powered submarines, implying delays in the ones to be built.
- Andrew Tillett
June
Field of credible buyers small, says Austal’s departing chairman
Former US navy secretary Richard Spencer will become Austal’s chairman, succeeding John Rothwell, amid a stand-off with suitor Hanwha.
- Brad Thompson
- Exclusive
- UK election
AUKUS safe under Labour: next UK minister for Australia
Australian-born Catherine West, who will be minister for Asia and the Pacific if Labour wins the election, rejects Tory claims the subs deal is at risk.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Opinion
- Defence
Silence is not golden when it comes to Defence
Defence’s culture of secrecy can sometimes cause more trouble than it’s worth. It became obvious again this week.
- Andrew Tillett
Low unemployment is hurting the military
Defence will only hit 57 per cent of its recruiting target this year, Australia’s outgoing military chief says.
- Andrew Tillett
Tomahawk missiles plan for Collins-class submarines misfires
Australia’s ageing submarine fleet won’t be fitted with strike missiles following advice that modifying the boats would not be value for money.
- Andrew Tillett
May
Macron, Scholz plan joint push to boost European air defence
The initiative is one of several policy areas, including capital markets reform, that the two European leaders were scheduled to discuss.
- Ania Nussbaum and Michael Nienaber
