Defence Minister Linda Reynolds faces an agonising question. Should she say to Scott Morrison that she doesn't feel up to staying in what is one of the most demanding portfolios in the government?
The Morrison government is repurposing defence spending in a A$1 billion boost to support about 4,000 jobs and assist small and medium-sized businesses in the defence industry supply chain.
We have become very China-centric in our strategic thinking — and this could be to our detriment. We need to pay more attention to Beijing's deepening defence ties with Russia.
Australian-based companies get a good share of Australian defence contracts, but not the Australian owned ones, and much of the work is mere subcontracting.
When bushfires break out anywhere across Australia, a new national bushfire defence force – like army reservists – could be deployed.
AAP/DFES Lewis van Bommel
There is a real risk a national inquiry could get bogged down in politics, or not lead to real change. But we need more federal action on bushfires. Our old approaches are broken.
The EU and NATO: aligned but not always together.
Nedelcu Paul Petru/Shutterstock
Why the EU and NATO have struggled to cooperate fully.
Climate change is expected to increase the severity of natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region, straining Australia’s ability to respond through humanitarian missions and fuelling more climate migration.
Vlad Sokhin/UNICEF handout
A Senate report recommended several measures the government should take to prepare for climate-fuelled migration, natural disasters and conflicts. The response so far has been underwhelming.
Australia has committed to joining the US and the UK in a mission to protect oil ships in the Strait of Hormuz. But why is the Strait the source of so much tension between the US and Iran?
Public support may be shifting in favour of nuclear energy in Australia, but there remains significant opposition to nuclear weapons.
Sean Davey/AAP
Developing nuclear weapons requires technological and industrial capabilities that Australia simply does not have at the moment. The political will may be lacking, too.
Julie Bishop and Marise Payne have risen to the top in foreign affairs, but their successes may be masking more systemic issues preventing women from advancement.
William West/AAP
A new report has found a major gender gap persists in Australia's diplomatic, defence and intelligence fields. Australia needs good ideas, and we cannot assume they will all come from the same place.
Morrison announced a compromise position that recognises West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital but does not move Australia’s embassy there until a peace settlement determines Jerusalem’s final status.
In a speech titled “After the Midterms”
Fullilove warns Australia may need to increase its defence spending beyond the present commitment and urges the government to reverse some of its cuts to aid.
As part of Australia’s naval upgrade, construction of 12 future submarines will start around 2022-23.
Brendan Esposito/AAP