Australia

Australia's big gamble on the US over China

It's a definitive move for a country in the Asia-Pacific region, experts say.

The security deal with the US and the UK gives Australia a huge defence upgrade from the world's most powerful military.

But it's a gift with strings attached. And there is debate over whether such a decision - made without public consultation - will play out in Australia's national interests.

As China has grown in power, it has begun to challenge US dominance in the Asia-Pacific region.

Australia defends role in security pact amid French condemnation

Prime Minister Scott Morrison rejected accusations that Australia had lied, saying France should have been aware it was prepared to break the deal.

France says the Aukus pact has led to a "serious crisis" between the allies.

In an unprecedented move, it has recalled its ambassadors from the US and Australia as a sign of protest.

Under the Aukus pact, Australia will be given the technology to build nuclear-powered submarines as a way of countering China's influence in the contested South China Sea.

Australia defends role in security pact amid French condemnation

Prime Minister Scott Morrison rejected accusations that Australia had lied, saying France should have been aware it was prepared to break the deal.

France says the Aukus pact has led to a "serious crisis" between the allies.

In an unprecedented move, it has recalled its ambassadors from the US and Australia as a sign of protest.

Under the Aukus pact, Australia will be given the technology to build nuclear-powered submarines as a way of countering China's influence in the contested South China Sea.

Tongans in Brisbane lead search for rare blood type donors

Jk-Null is an extremely rare antigen, it predominately found in Tongan, Samoan, and Niuean blood donors.

Paseifika TV and radio broadcaster Sulieni Layt is fronting a campaign to drum up blood donors.

"Our target is to have at least 30 donors based in Brisbane... at the moment we are short two," he said.

Despite the campaign being focused in Brisbane Mr Layt said that people from across the country have reached out wanting to donate.

"Tongans in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales... and we've been referring them to their nearest clinics," he said.

Pacific netball team to feature in a mini-series in Queensland Australia

It's been formed through a collaboration between Netball Queensland, Sunshine Coast Lightning, Queensland Suns and the PacificAus Sports partnership.

The 'Born to Shine Series' aims to provide players and coaches the opportunity to gain a tour-style experience in a top quality competition, with teams to play matches at the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast.

Australia and Indonesia discuss joint military training

The idea was discussed between the two nations' defence ministers, Australia's Peter Dutton and Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto, who met in Jakarta.

Australia has also offered places for Indonesia's best military personnel at Duntroon.

Dutton said the renewed defence cooperation arrangement would see Australia and Indonesia step up their joint training initiatives, and defence operational activities over the coming years.

     

NSW Covid-19: 1262 community cases and seven deaths

Chief health officer Kerry Chant said the 20-year-old had significant underlying health conditions and was unvaccinated.

According NSW Health's own modelling, infections are anticipated to peak this week and hospitalisations will surge until mid-October.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the "next couple of months will be the most challenging" and in response to images of crowds gathering at weekend on Sydney's beaches, has asked the community to not become complacent.

Over TOP$22,300 raised for Tongan man attacked after ‘begging’ for money in Australia

His mother has also received donations in cash and food in Tonga after the incident.

Siaki Tome was subjected to what appears to be an unprovoked attack on Monday night reports Kaniva News.

Sinipiu Taumālolo claimed Tome approached him asking for work. It has been claimed the incident occurred after Tome had asked Taumālolo for money to be paid in advance from his pay.

Taumālolo was overheard in a livestream video clip talking to Tome about the money.

Indonesia and Australia renew defence and security ties

Memoranda of understanding (MOU) were signed in counter-terrorism, defence and cybersecurity, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.

Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto added discussions took place over the possibility of Indonesian military cadets attending Australian academies, in what would be "a historic first".

The Indonesia trip, by Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton, was the first such ministerial visit from Australia since the start of the pandemic.

Warriors to spend another year in Australia

The Warriors who spent part of 2020 and all of 2021 across the Tasman, will be based in Redcliffe north of Brisbane next seaon.

Warriors CEO Cameron George said returning to Mount Stadium for 2022 was the preference but that option had become unrealistic due to the ongoing border volatility created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

After spending most of the last two years in Terrigal on the New South Wales Central Coast, George said the Australian Rugby League Commission and the NRL had approved the Warriors' second-choice option to move their operation to Queensland.