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Sky News AU
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Deputy PM refuses to say if Chinese warships targeted Australian cities
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has refused to say if Chinese warships were 'targeting our cities' when they carried out exercises off Australia's vast coast earlier this year. The Australian Defence Force revealed in February it was tracking two People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) frigates and a replenishment vessel in the Coral Sea, off Queensland. They passed within 150 nautical miles (278km) east of Sydney as they moved south and conducted live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea without notifying Canberra or air traffic controllers. The Albanese government has kept tight-lipped on what the Chinese flotilla's mission was, even amid fears AUKUS could be on the rocks, Australia trailing its allies in defence spending and warnings Beijing poses an 'imminent' threat to the region. Mr Marles, who is also defence minister, on Monday told News Corp's Defending Australia Summit the Chinese live-fire drills was 'very much not diplomacy or defensive diplomacy'. 'None of that provides strategic reassurance,' he said. Asked point blank if they were rehearsing strikes on Australian cities or onshore facilities, Mr Marles said he did know but would not confirm or deny. 'Look, I do know the answer to the question,' he said. 'I don't think it's appropriate or helpful for me in this situation to speculate about it for a range of reasons … and the most significant being what we did with the Chinese task group was to engage in an unprecedented level of surveillance on that task group. 'So we do know exactly what they were doing and exactly what they're rehearsing. 'For me to start talking about that obviously reveals our surveillance capabilities, which is why I'm reluctant to.' Mr Marles added the Chinese ships were 'very clear about what they were doing'. 'Perhaps I would say that I think I don't think there are any capabilities that were put on display there which are particular surprise,' he said. 'And we were also, as I say – being able to surveil that task group in the manner which we did also sends an important statement.' 'Great power contest' The Trump administration has been calling on Canberra to dramatically boost military spending amid concerns China could make a move on the democratically self-governed island of Taiwan by 2027. Aside from torching the decades-long status quo, a Chinese move on Taiwan would deal a major blow to the global supply of semiconductors – crucial components in modern tech – and massively disrupt vital trade routes. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this month told Mr Marles that Australia's defence budget 'should' be 3.5 per cent of GDP 'as soon as possible' during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. In a read out, the US Embassy said the two senior officials 'discussed aligning investment to the security environment in the Indo-Pacific, accelerating US force posture initiatives in Australia, advancing defence industrial base co-operation, and creating supply chain resilience'. Mr Hegseth also used his address at the conference to warn that Beijing posed an 'imminent' threat to the Indo-Pacific. 'Let me be clear, any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world,' Mr Hegseth said. 'There's no reason to sugar-coat it. The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent. 'We hope not but certainly could be.' While the Albanese government has pushed back on boosting the ADF's budget, Mr Marles acknowledged at the Defending Australia Summit that China's military build-up was the 'most significant … that we have seen since the end of the Second World War'. 'And it shapes the region in which we live, and it means that Australia's geography today is more relevant to great power contest than it has been at any point since the end of the Second World War, arguably at any point in our history,' he said. 'In terms of our own defence capability needs, our risk is not so much the invasion of the continent. 'We are fortunate that we are an island nation surrounded by oceans, but on the other hand, we are deeply reliant on our sea lines of communication. 'The supply of the country – almost all of our liquid fuels are imported by sea but also through export revenues.' Mr Marles said Australia getting cut off from the world was 'our strategic risk'. 'It's the disruption of those sea lines,' he said. 'It's the coercion that could result because of the disruption of such sea routes. 'It is that, and the stability of the region in which we live. 'Because the defence of Australia is intimately connected with the peace and stability of the Pacific, the peace and stability of Southeast Asia, of Northeast Asia, of the Northeast Indian Ocean.' Originally published as Deputy PM refuses to say if Chinese warships targeted Australian cities
Perth Now
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
China warships question Labor won't answer
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has refused to say if Chinese warships were 'targeting our cities' when they carried out exercises off Australia's vast coast earlier this year. The Australian Defence Force revealed in February it was tracking two People's Liberation Army-navy (PLA-N) frigates and a replenishment vessel in the Coral Sea, off Queensland. They passed within 150 nautical miles (278km) east of Sydney as they moved south and conducted live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea without notifying Canberra or air traffic controllers. The Albanese government has kept tight-lipped on what the Chinese flotilla's mission was, even amid fears AUKUS could be on the rocks, Australia trailing its allies in defence spending and warnings Beijing poses an 'imminent' threat to the region. Three Chinese warships carried out live drills off Australia's east coast. Australian Defence Force Credit: Supplied Mr Marles, who is also defence minister, on Monday told News Corp's Defending Australia Summit the Chinese live-fire drills was 'very much not diplomacy or defensive diplomacy'. 'None of that provides strategic reassurance,' he said. Asked point blank if they were rehearsing strikes on Australian cities or onshore facilities, Mr Marles said he did know but would not confirm or deny. 'Look, I do know the answer to the question,' he said. 'I don't think it's appropriate or helpful for me in this situation to speculate about it for a range of reasons … and the most significant being what we did with the Chinese task group was to engage in an unprecedented level of surveillance on that task group. 'So we do know exactly what they were doing and exactly what they're rehearsing. 'For me to start talking about that obviously reveals our surveillance capabilities, which is why I'm reluctant to.' Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says he knows whether Chinese warships were targeting Australian cities when they carried out exercises earlier this year. Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Marles added the Chinese ships were 'very clear about what they were doing'. 'Perhaps I would say that I think I don't think there are any capabilities that were put on display there which are particular surprise,' he said. 'And we were also, as I say – being able to surveil that task group in the manner which we did also sends an important statement.' More to come.
News.com.au
16-06-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Deputy PM refuses to say if Chinese warships targeted Australian cities
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has refused to say if Chinese warships were 'targeting our cities' when they carried out exercises off Australia's vast coast earlier this year. The Australian Defence Force revealed in February it was tracking two People's Liberation Army-navy (PLA-N) frigates and a replenishment vessel in the Coral Sea, off Queensland. They passed within 150 nautical miles (278km) east of Sydney as they moved south and conducted live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea without notifying Canberra or air traffic controllers. The Albanese government has kept tight-lipped on what the Chinese flotilla's mission was, even amid fears AUKUS could be on the rocks, Australia trailing its allies in defence spending and warnings Beijing poses an 'imminent' threat to the region. Mr Marles, who is also defence minister, on Monday told News Corp's Defending Australia Summit the Chinese live-fire drills was 'very much not diplomacy or defensive diplomacy'. 'None of that provides strategic reassurance,' he said. Asked point blank if they were rehearsing strikes on Australian cities or onshore facilities, Mr Marles said he did know but would not confirm or deny. 'Look, I do know the answer to the question,' he said. 'I don't think it's appropriate or helpful for me in this situation to speculate about it for a range of reasons … and the most significant being what we did with the Chinese task group was to engage in an unprecedented level of surveillance on that task group. 'So we do know exactly what they were doing and exactly what they're rehearsing. 'For me to start talking about that obviously reveals our surveillance capabilities, which is why I'm reluctant to.' Mr Marles added the Chinese ships were 'very clear about what they were doing'. 'Perhaps I would say that I think I don't think there are any capabilities that were put on display there which are particular surprise,' he said. 'And we were also, as I say – being able to surveil that task group in the manner which we did also sends an important statement.'
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Dramatic footage shows a helicopter land near five stranded men believed to have arrived illegally by boat
Stunning footage captured the moment a helicopter pilot discovered a group of suspected asylum seekers stranded on a remote beach in Australia's north. North Australian Helicopters, a privately-owned aviation company, posted footage of the helicopter touching down on the north coast beach to their Facebook page on Thursday. In the video, the group of five men appeared to be standing beside a message written in the sand, believed to have read 'SOS'. It was not clear where the men came from though the author of the video wrote the men could not 'understand a word of English'. The men are understood to have since been collected by the Australian Border Force. Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson said the incident exposed the Albanese Government's failure to protect Australia's borders. 'Media reports of an apparent illegal maritime arrival are deeply concerning. Regardless of whether they are people smugglers or illegal fishers, no one should be able to reach the Australian mainland undetected,' he said in a statement. Senator Paterson likened the incident to the live firing drill of Chinese warships in the Tasman Sea in February which the government was first alerted to by a commercial pilot. 'Once again, we have seen the Albanese Government relying on private businesses alerting the government to serious security concerns, like when a Virgin Australia pilot was the first to alert the government to a PLA-N live fire exercise in the Tasman Sea. 'Time and time again, we have seen Labor fail to keep Australia safe. Only a Dutton Coalition government will restore Operation Sovereign Borders and stop the boats.' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke remained tight-lipped about the incident. 'We do not confirm, or comment on, operational matters,' he told The Australian. 'There has never been a successful people smuggling venture under our government, and that remains true.' The Facebook video has been viewed more than 10,000 times since being posted on Thursday. The Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force have been contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
AllAfrica
28-02-2025
- Politics
- AllAfrica
China's live-fire flex shows Australia is no naval match
Over the past few days, the Australian media has been dominated by the activities of the Chinese navy's Task Group 107 as it has progressed south along the Australian coast and conducted a series of live-fire exercises. Much of the discussion has been rather breathless in nature, with accusations of 'gunboat diplomacy' being bandied around. The live-fire exercises have also dominated the Australian political debate. Amid all the accusations, the fact that these exercises are routine and entirely legal has gotten lost. The Australian government was correct to lodge a complaint with its Chinese counterpart when one of these exercises disrupted civilian aviation. But the overall response has been an extraordinary overreaction. There is no indication the Chinese vessels undertook any surface-to-air exercises, and it remains unclear whether the initial firings involved medium-caliber weapons or smaller arms. Either way, the facts suggest the disruption from the Chinese vessels was caused by inexperience or poor procedure, rather than some more nefarious purpose. This is not to suggest the People's Liberation Army-Navy's (PLA-N) deployment is unimportant, but as happens all too often, the Australian public debate is missing the wood for the trees. While a number of retired naval officers have publicly played down the significance of the live-fire exercises, these voices have generally been drowned out by the politicization of the issue. This highlights the failure of the Department of Defence to communicate effectively to the public. In other countries, including the United States, senior officers are given far more leeway to make public statements in matters within their purview. Had Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, the chief of navy, or Vice Admiral Justin Jones, the chief of Joint Operations, been empowered to explain how live-fire exercises are routine and are commonly carried out by Australian warships on deployment in our region, we may have avoided this unhelpful stoush. Maritime muscle The real significance of the activities of Task Group 107 is the way it has revealed the very different trajectories of the PLA-N and its Royal Australian Navy counterpart. The task group is made up of a Type 055 Renhai-class cruiser, a Type 054A Jiangkai II frigate and a Type 903 Fuchi-class replenishment ship. This is a powerful force that symbolizes the rapid development of the Chinese navy. The Renhai-class cruisers are acknowledged to be some of the most capable surface combatants currently in operation. They are 13,000 tonnes in size and are armed with 112 vertical-launch system (VLS) missile tubes. The Australian navy's premier surface warship, the Hobart-class destroyer, is just 7,000 tonnes and has 48 VLS missile cells. These are very crude metrics, but it would be foolhardy to assume Chinese technology is dramatically inferior to that of Australia or its allies. Similarly, China's Type 054A frigates are comparable to the general-purpose frigates that Australia is currently trying to acquire. Since 2020, China has commissioned eight Type 055 cruisers, adding to a fleet of more than 30 Type 52C and Type 52D destroyers and an even greater number of Type 054A frigates. This build-up vastly exceeds that of any other navy globally. Chinese shipyards are churning out the same combat power of the entire Royal Australian Navy every couple of years. Until recently, we have seen remarkably little of this naval capability in our region. A PLA-N task force operated off the northeast coast of Australia in 2022. Last year, a similar force was in the South Pacific. Most analysts expect to see more Chinese vessels in Australia's region over the coming years. One significant limitation on Chinese overseas deployments has been the PLA-N's small force of replenishment ships, which resupply naval vessels at sea. As the PLA-N's capabilities continue to grow and priorities shift, this appears to be changing. A recent US Department of Defence report noted that China was expected to build further replenishment ships 'to support its expanding long-duration combatant ship deployments.' Struggling to keep pace In response to the Chinese build-up, Australia is investing heavily to rebuild its navy. However, this process has been slow and beset by problems. Indeed, this week, the Defence Department revealed that the selection of the design for the new Australian frigate has been postponed into 2026. This leaves the navy with a limited fleet of just 10 surface combatants, the majority of which are small and ageing Anzac-class frigates. The arrival of the Chinese task group also sheds an unfavorable light on other recent decisions. The cuts to the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel program make sense from some perspectives. But these ships would have provided additional options to persistently shadow foreign warships in Australian areas of interest. Similarly, the growing need of Australian ships to escort Chinese vessels in our region will place an increasing strain on Australian replenishment capability. At present, both of Australia's resupply ships are out of service. Additional capacity was also cut from the recent defence budget. The activities of the Chinese task force are not some aggressive move of gunboat diplomacy in our region. In many ways, this sensationalist messaging has distracted from a much bigger issue. The presence of Chinese naval ships in our region is going to be a fact of life. And due to failures from both sides of politics over the past 15 years, Australia's navy is ill-equipped to meet that challenge. Richard Dunley is senior lecturer in history and maritime strategy, UNSW Sydney This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
