Red line or no, secrecy over China-Solomon Islands pact piques US suspicion

Red line or no, secrecy over China-Solomon Islands pact piques US suspicion
Red line or no, secrecy over China-Solomon Islands pact piques US suspicion

Stopping short of saying “red line,” a senior State Department official said a US delegation warned the Solomon Islands about a US response should China attempt to have a “de facto” military presence there.

China says Solomon Islands security pact signed; critics knock Morrison government

China says Solomon Islands security pact signed; critics knock Morrison government
China says Solomon Islands security pact signed; critics knock Morrison government

Morrison’s “government has really dropped the ball on this,” Peter Dean at the University of Western Australia said. “Why had the warnings last year not been taken more seriously?”

Row erupts over ‘mind-bogglingly stupid’ drone cut; Lockheed, Raytheon nab $1B Aussie PGM deal

Row erupts over ‘mind-bogglingly stupid’ drone cut; Lockheed, Raytheon nab $1B Aussie PGM deal
Row erupts over ‘mind-bogglingly stupid’ drone cut; Lockheed, Raytheon nab $1B Aussie PGM deal

On lawmaker said the drone program was a “rare defense project that was going to deliver new combat capability in just a few years and is shelved after a decade worth of planning and investment.”

REDSPICE and everything nice: Aussies boost cyber spending in 2023 budget

REDSPICE and everything nice: Aussies boost cyber spending in 2023 budget
REDSPICE and everything nice: Aussies boost cyber spending in 2023 budget

“REDSPICE ensures Australia keeps pace with the rapid growth of cyber capabilities of potential adversaries. It provides new intelligence capabilities, new cyber defences to protect our most critical systems, and is a real increase in the potency of ASD’s ability to strike back in cyberspace,” the Australian prime minister said in a statement.

Is Australian Defense Minister Dutton eyeing top party job?

Is Australian Defense Minister Dutton eyeing top party job?
Is Australian Defense Minister Dutton eyeing top party job?

It was a busy week in Australian politics, with accusations of Chinese meddling in the opposition Labor party and a text message scandal.