Sydney Morning Herald
$53 billion to be ploughed into Australia’s defence budget. Trump’s secretary of war wanted more
Australia has committed $53 billion to defence spending, a figure the government will frame as reaching 3 percent of GDP — though that milestone depends on a redrawn methodology for calculating the number. The accounting shift has drawn scrutiny, with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushing Canberra for a more aggressive commitment. The announcement reflects the growing pressure on Indo-Pacific allies to demonstrate credible defence investment as Washington recalibrates its expectations of partner nations.
Read article →Guardian AU
Australia news live: Usman Khawaja condemns ‘appalling’ immigration comments from Coalition
Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers has flagged serious concerns about the global economic outlook after the IMF warned of potential recession risks, high inflation, and elevated fuel prices persisting through 2027. Chalmers described the current moment as "a really dangerous time for the global economy," acknowledging the fund's stark warnings about severe downside scenarios. The comments come as Australia navigates global headwinds that could weigh on domestic growth and cost-of-living pressures.
Read article →Guardian AU
Australia news live: Albanese talks up fuel cooperation with Sultan of Brunei; Uber fuel surcharge kicks in for non-EV rides
Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers is responding to an IMF warning of potential global recession, citing high inflation and elevated fuel prices persisting through 2027. Chalmers described the current moment as "a really dangerous time for the global economy," acknowledging the severity of the Fund's projections. The warnings come as Prime Minister Albanese pursues fuel cooperation talks with Brunei and Uber introduces a surcharge on non-EV rides domestically.
Read article →Guardian AU
Gina Rinehart’s son says he wants to be a ‘united family’ in olive branch to mother after court ruling
John Hancock's public call for family reconciliation follows a Western Australian Supreme Court ruling that left ownership disputes over Gina Rinehart's mining empire unresolved, with a judge directing the matter to private arbitration. The case had centered on whether Rinehart's children were entitled to a 49% stake in her company. The olive branch signals a potential thaw in one of Australia's most high-profile and bitter family disputes.
Read article →Guardian AU
Labor to boost defence spending by $53bn over next decade – but plan still short of Donald Trump’s demands
Australia's Labor government will inject an additional $53 billion into defence spending over the next decade, lifting investment to approximately 2.4% of GDP under a new national strategy to be unveiled by Defence Minister Richard Marles. The plan includes novel private capital mechanisms to accelerate military capability upgrades. However, the commitment still falls well short of the 3.5% of GDP that President Trump has demanded from US allies, leaving Australia's strategic positioning within the alliance under scrutiny.
Read article →Get this delivered every morning
Join thousands of readers who get the world's most important stories, curated daily.
Start reading free →