Samoan villages blindsided by decision not to excavate Manawanui
Villages in Samoa say they were blindsided by the decision to leave the sunken New Zealand Navy vessel Manawanui where it lies.
New Zealand's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister announce they won't be attending Cook Islands Constitution Day celebrations next month.
Two Fa'afafine leaders put their hands up to contest the upcoming snap election.
Anticipation builds among Pacific islands climate activists ahead of a ruling by the International Court of Justice next week.
Torres Strait Islanders lose their class action against the Australian government for failing to protect their communities from the effects of climate change.
The PNG Royal PNG Constabulary is organising a special event involving Police bands.
And It's semi-finals day at the OFC Women's Nations Cup tournament in Fiji, but the line-up is not quite what the pundits were expecting.
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ABC News
16 hours ago
- ABC News
Taiwan opposition parliamentarians survive major recall election
When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited China recently, there were questions about what role Australia would play if China and the US went to war over Taiwan. The island's defence capabilities have also been front-of-mind for some Taiwanese people and parliamentarians during a domestic political stoush that came to a head on Saturday. For several months now, civil society groups in Taiwan have been campaigning to unseat 24 parliamentarians they considered to be too pro-China. But their efforts to expel the politicians, using a recall motion, have failed. So, what does that mean for Taiwan? Taiwan, a democratic self-governing island of 23 million people, has a political system that allows voters to remove their elected representatives before the end of their term through a legal process known as a recall. But recalls are rare, and had never been used on this scale before. Grassroots organisations behind this unprecedented mass recall campaign wanted to unseat opposition party parliamentarians they viewed as pro-Beijing. The campaigners believed these parliamentarians had been using their majority to block the democratically aligned Taiwan president's agenda, impacting government budgets and crucially, defence programs, which consequently created risks for Taiwan's security. "The opposition lawmakers have paralysed the government's ability to start the process of enhancing defence reforms and capabilities that Taiwan desperately needs in order to deter China from continuing to enhance military pressure on Taiwan," said William Yang, International Crisis Group's senior analyst for North-East Asia. The opposition parliamentarians had denied these accusations. Beijing has repeatedly insisted that Taiwan will one day become a part of China, refusing to rule out the use of force to achieve that. US intelligence suggests China's President Xi Jinping wants his military ready for a potential invasion by 2027. All recall votes against the 24 opposition party members from the Kuomintang (KMT) were rejected, according to Taiwan's Central Election Commission. It means the current makeup of Taiwan's parliament will remain the same. "The result shows the majority of the Taiwanese people still prefer the outcome from the Taiwanese election delivered in 2024," explained Mr Yang. The opposition party will continue to have a majority in the legislature, and the ruling party, President Lai Ching-te's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), will continue to control the executive branch of government. Mr Yang described the results as a "double-edged sword". "On the one hand, the opposition party could feel that they have the momentum behind them, so they will try to make a way to push the government to provide more leverage and concessions," he said. "But at the same time, the opposition could also feel the heat in the way that they will be more cautious when it comes to blocking or stopping the government's agenda so that they won't face similar recall measures in the future." KMT chairman Eric Chu thanked Taiwan's voters and called for President Lai to apologise and reflect on his governance. "One should not lose the elections and then call for malicious recalls. One should not seek one-party dominance and destroy democracy," he told a press briefing in Taipei. "Most importantly, the people of Taiwan chose stability and chose a government that gets things done, rather than political infighting." Wu Szu-yao, secretary general of the DPP's legislative caucus, said the party respected the voters' decision with pleasure, adding the result would only strengthen the DPP's "anti-communist and pro-Taiwan" stance. "This time we saw China was trying everything it could to intervene," she told reporters at party headquarters in Taipei, pointing to Chinese military pressure and a disinformation campaign. "We must be more vigilant against their possible malicious intentions toward Taiwan." The groups seeking the recalls said theirs was an "anti-communist" movement, accusing the KMT of selling out Taiwan by sending lawmakers to China, not supporting defence spending and bringing chaos to parliament. Voters like Mr Hsu told the ABC the recall campaign had created a divided society, and political polarisation in Taiwan had become "extreme." He hoped for a return to normalcy after the recall vote result. "I hope everyone on this island can live happily, with a thriving economy, instead of being caught up in constant infighting." Jennifer Chang said she hoped that both sides of the political spectrum could find some common ground. "I think everyone should speak out and listen more," she said. Ms Liang, 60, believed people in Taiwan were tolerant. "They're open to different opinions and treat each other with respect. That's something I really value about Taiwan." Reuters
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
UK touted as important partner as US uncertainty grows
The United Kingdom has fast become one of Australia's most important defence allies amid turmoil under the Trump administration, a security analyst says. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles will host their UK counterparts David Lammy and John Healey in Sydney for joint talks on Friday. Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst Alex Bristow said ministerial meetings moving to more of a six-monthly cycle rather than their traditional annual timeline highlighted strengthened ties between the two nations. "The tempo of it increasing, I think, is a signal that Britain is moving into an elite category," he told AAP. The UK was probably third behind Japan and the US in terms of how strategically significant the defence relationship was to Australia, Dr Bristow said. The UK's Carrier Strike Group, led by Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales, arrived in Darwin on Wednesday as Australia's largest military exercise Talisman Sabre is underway. It's the first UK carrier strike group to visit Australia since 1997. It is an international task group which includes five core ships, 24 jets, and 17 helicopters, centred around the flagship aircraft carrier. UK High Commissioner to Australia Sarah MacIntosh said the arrival of the strike group was a demonstration of commitment to the region and the strong relationship with Canberra. "This is an anchor relationship in a contested world," she said. Dr Bristow said Australia should be welcoming carrier strike groups from European countries. He said NATO had identified China as a threat to its interests as Beijing continues to collaborate with Russia and North Korea. "It's entirely in the interests of European allies in NATO to be working with Indo-Pacific allies," Dr Bristow said. The US has promised to sell Australia nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement, which has since been put under review by the Trump administration. The three-nation pact, which includes the UK, will likely be discussed during the high level talks in Sydney. Defence analysts believe a likely outcome of the review will be a request for more money from Australia towards the US submarine industrial base, rather than the deal being scrapped. The Australian government has said it remains confident in the nuclear-submarine deal being delivered. The United Kingdom has fast become one of Australia's most important defence allies amid turmoil under the Trump administration, a security analyst says. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles will host their UK counterparts David Lammy and John Healey in Sydney for joint talks on Friday. Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst Alex Bristow said ministerial meetings moving to more of a six-monthly cycle rather than their traditional annual timeline highlighted strengthened ties between the two nations. "The tempo of it increasing, I think, is a signal that Britain is moving into an elite category," he told AAP. The UK was probably third behind Japan and the US in terms of how strategically significant the defence relationship was to Australia, Dr Bristow said. The UK's Carrier Strike Group, led by Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales, arrived in Darwin on Wednesday as Australia's largest military exercise Talisman Sabre is underway. It's the first UK carrier strike group to visit Australia since 1997. It is an international task group which includes five core ships, 24 jets, and 17 helicopters, centred around the flagship aircraft carrier. UK High Commissioner to Australia Sarah MacIntosh said the arrival of the strike group was a demonstration of commitment to the region and the strong relationship with Canberra. "This is an anchor relationship in a contested world," she said. Dr Bristow said Australia should be welcoming carrier strike groups from European countries. He said NATO had identified China as a threat to its interests as Beijing continues to collaborate with Russia and North Korea. "It's entirely in the interests of European allies in NATO to be working with Indo-Pacific allies," Dr Bristow said. The US has promised to sell Australia nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement, which has since been put under review by the Trump administration. The three-nation pact, which includes the UK, will likely be discussed during the high level talks in Sydney. Defence analysts believe a likely outcome of the review will be a request for more money from Australia towards the US submarine industrial base, rather than the deal being scrapped. The Australian government has said it remains confident in the nuclear-submarine deal being delivered. The United Kingdom has fast become one of Australia's most important defence allies amid turmoil under the Trump administration, a security analyst says. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles will host their UK counterparts David Lammy and John Healey in Sydney for joint talks on Friday. Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst Alex Bristow said ministerial meetings moving to more of a six-monthly cycle rather than their traditional annual timeline highlighted strengthened ties between the two nations. "The tempo of it increasing, I think, is a signal that Britain is moving into an elite category," he told AAP. The UK was probably third behind Japan and the US in terms of how strategically significant the defence relationship was to Australia, Dr Bristow said. The UK's Carrier Strike Group, led by Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales, arrived in Darwin on Wednesday as Australia's largest military exercise Talisman Sabre is underway. It's the first UK carrier strike group to visit Australia since 1997. It is an international task group which includes five core ships, 24 jets, and 17 helicopters, centred around the flagship aircraft carrier. UK High Commissioner to Australia Sarah MacIntosh said the arrival of the strike group was a demonstration of commitment to the region and the strong relationship with Canberra. "This is an anchor relationship in a contested world," she said. Dr Bristow said Australia should be welcoming carrier strike groups from European countries. He said NATO had identified China as a threat to its interests as Beijing continues to collaborate with Russia and North Korea. "It's entirely in the interests of European allies in NATO to be working with Indo-Pacific allies," Dr Bristow said. The US has promised to sell Australia nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement, which has since been put under review by the Trump administration. The three-nation pact, which includes the UK, will likely be discussed during the high level talks in Sydney. Defence analysts believe a likely outcome of the review will be a request for more money from Australia towards the US submarine industrial base, rather than the deal being scrapped. The Australian government has said it remains confident in the nuclear-submarine deal being delivered. The United Kingdom has fast become one of Australia's most important defence allies amid turmoil under the Trump administration, a security analyst says. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles will host their UK counterparts David Lammy and John Healey in Sydney for joint talks on Friday. Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst Alex Bristow said ministerial meetings moving to more of a six-monthly cycle rather than their traditional annual timeline highlighted strengthened ties between the two nations. "The tempo of it increasing, I think, is a signal that Britain is moving into an elite category," he told AAP. The UK was probably third behind Japan and the US in terms of how strategically significant the defence relationship was to Australia, Dr Bristow said. The UK's Carrier Strike Group, led by Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales, arrived in Darwin on Wednesday as Australia's largest military exercise Talisman Sabre is underway. It's the first UK carrier strike group to visit Australia since 1997. It is an international task group which includes five core ships, 24 jets, and 17 helicopters, centred around the flagship aircraft carrier. UK High Commissioner to Australia Sarah MacIntosh said the arrival of the strike group was a demonstration of commitment to the region and the strong relationship with Canberra. "This is an anchor relationship in a contested world," she said. Dr Bristow said Australia should be welcoming carrier strike groups from European countries. He said NATO had identified China as a threat to its interests as Beijing continues to collaborate with Russia and North Korea. "It's entirely in the interests of European allies in NATO to be working with Indo-Pacific allies," Dr Bristow said. The US has promised to sell Australia nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement, which has since been put under review by the Trump administration. The three-nation pact, which includes the UK, will likely be discussed during the high level talks in Sydney. Defence analysts believe a likely outcome of the review will be a request for more money from Australia towards the US submarine industrial base, rather than the deal being scrapped. The Australian government has said it remains confident in the nuclear-submarine deal being delivered.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
UK touted as important partner as US uncertainty grows
The United Kingdom has fast become one of Australia's most important defence allies amid turmoil under the Trump administration, a security analyst says. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles will host their UK counterparts David Lammy and John Healey in Sydney for joint talks on Friday. Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst Alex Bristow said ministerial meetings moving to more of a six-monthly cycle rather than their traditional annual timeline highlighted strengthened ties between the two nations. "The tempo of it increasing, I think, is a signal that Britain is moving into an elite category," he told AAP. The UK was probably third behind Japan and the US in terms of how strategically significant the defence relationship was to Australia, Dr Bristow said. The UK's Carrier Strike Group, led by Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales, arrived in Darwin on Wednesday as Australia's largest military exercise Talisman Sabre is underway. It's the first UK carrier strike group to visit Australia since 1997. It is an international task group which includes five core ships, 24 jets, and 17 helicopters, centred around the flagship aircraft carrier. UK High Commissioner to Australia Sarah MacIntosh said the arrival of the strike group was a demonstration of commitment to the region and the strong relationship with Canberra. "This is an anchor relationship in a contested world," she said. Dr Bristow said Australia should be welcoming carrier strike groups from European countries. He said NATO had identified China as a threat to its interests as Beijing continues to collaborate with Russia and North Korea. "It's entirely in the interests of European allies in NATO to be working with Indo-Pacific allies," Dr Bristow said. The US has promised to sell Australia nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement, which has since been put under review by the Trump administration. The three-nation pact, which includes the UK, will likely be discussed during the high level talks in Sydney. Defence analysts believe a likely outcome of the review will be a request for more money from Australia towards the US submarine industrial base, rather than the deal being scrapped. The Australian government has said it remains confident in the nuclear-submarine deal being delivered.
