AUKUS

While promoted by the government as a major investment—and on target to meet US expectations—in real terms, Australia’s defence budget is barely sufficient.

‘The question now ... is to work out how they [DOGE] can streamline and better produce the submarines,’ said former Ambassador Arthur Sinodinos.

An Australian monarchist group has labelled a move to remove the monarch from the $5 note as ‘neo-communism.’

United Airlines will operate the flight route three times a week between San Francisco and Adelaide.

Trump imposed a 10 percent baseline tariff on trading partners and bigger reciprocal tariffs on China, the European Union, and multiple other nations.

The wide ranging tariffs are expected to be announced April 2.

Guided weapons manufacturing, an AUKUS submarine base, and a frigate program are among the initiatives set to be announced by Richard Marles during the budget.

2 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) launcher vehicles arrive in Australia as the government orders $200 million missiles for AUKUS submarines.

Joe Courtney, former Chair and now ranking member of an influential Congressional subcommittee, says bipartisan support for AUKUS is ‘quite extraordinary.’

The first steps towards realising the AUKUS defence pact have begun with the arrival of the USS Minnesota.

This comes as President Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table after the US cut aid.

‘The president is implementing the agenda he was elected to implement,” Foreign Minister Wong

Wong met with Rubio and the leaders of U.S, Australia, India and Japan, where they discussed a a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles is confident America’s new commander-in-chief will back the nuclear-powered submarine project.

AUKUS is designed as a counterweight to Beijing’s ongoing aggression in the Indo-Pacific.

A snap investigation into the Australian Submarine Agency, as the U.S. Navy seeks emergency funding for its submarine programme.

Former Defence Force Chief Angus Houston has called for a rise to 3 percent in military spending, without which the cost of AUKUS will drain too much in funds.

Other nations have, or claim to have, the technology and to have conducted successful tests so Australia, the UK, and US are racing to catch up.

The Australian government and opposition have moved to assuage concerns about a second Trump presidency.