Page 15 - Australia

India, Australia hold joint military exercise 'AustraHind' in Pune

According to a Defence Ministry release, this two-week training program is designed to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the armed forces of the two nations

Don't expect Trump will demand payment for protection: Philippine def secy

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Tuesday that he didn't expect President-elect Donald Trump's next administration would demand that the Philippines pay more for military protection because both allies faced the shared threat of China. Teodoro was speaking at a news conference with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles following an inaugural bilateral annual meeting aimed at improving security ties. Asked if Trump would expect the Philippines, like Taiwan, to pay for U.S. protection, Teodoro replied: I really don't expect some sort of a statement from Mr. Trump, hopefully not. I really don't have any preconditions or any assumptions as to what will be the outcome of this administration, except on what we are working on on institutional ties, he said. We have an interest, both the United States and the Philippines, in ensuring that our partnership continues because not totally, but principally ... of shared threats. And that is undoubtedly the overreach and

Indian Naval Sailing Vessel 'Tarini' arrives in Australia on its first stop

The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini arrived for its first port of call in Freemantle, Australia on November 9 after a 38-day voyage at the sea.INSV Tarini is undertaking a global circumnavigation expedition under the name, Navika Sagar Parikrama II.The details of the historic expedition were shared on X by the Spokesperson of the Indian Navy.INSV Tarini was flagged off from Goa on October 2 and the duo of Lt Cdr Dilna K & Lt Cdr Roopa A, covered 4900 nautical miles (9074 km) in 38 days, encountering challenging weather conditions & rough seas", the Navy spokesperson noted.The officers were warmly received by dignitaries, including the Consul General of India at Perth, the Defence Advisor from Canberra, the Secretary of the Indian Navy Sailing Association (INSA), representatives from the Royal Australian Navy, along with members of the media and Indian Naval veterans residing in Australia.Indian Navy emphasized that the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition, ...

Australia to ban social media for kids under 16 to protect mental health

Australia introduces new age limits on social media to protect youth mental health, holding platforms accountable for underage access, as part of broader tech regulations

Australia set to impose ban on social media for children under 16, says PM

The long-anticipated age limits for social media are part of a suite of measures from Albanese's center-left Labor government to crack down on technology giants

Jaishankar calls on Australian PM Albanese, discusses ways to bolster ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and discussed ways to deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. During the meeting, Jaishankar also conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's greeting to Albanese. The minister is on an official visit to Australia from November 3-7. "Delighted to call on PM Anthony Albanese in Canberra today. Conveyed warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Value his guidance for deepening India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar wrote on X. He later met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters and discussed education, technology, agriculture and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on Indo-Pacific and global issues. He also interacted with members of the Australia-India Parliamentary Friendship Group. "Appreciate their warm sentiments for stronger political, economic and people-to-people ties with India," Jaishankar said in a

EAM Jaishankar calls on Australian PM Albanese, discusses bilateral ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and discussed ways to deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. During the meeting, Jaishankar also conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's greeting to Albanese. The minister is on an official visit to Australia from November 3-7. "Delighted to call on PM Anthony Albanese in Canberra today. Conveyed warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Value his guidance for deepening India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar wrote on X. Earlier, Jaishankar met Peter Dutton, the leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. "Shared perspectives on global issues and appreciate his support for our bilateral ties," Jaishankar said after meeting Dutton. He also met New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters in Canberra. "Discussed education, technology, agriculture, technology and people-to-people ties. Also exchanged views on Indo-Pa

Australian HC overturns law that forced migrants to wear tracking bracelets

Australia's highest court ruled Wednesday that migrants can't be forced by law to wear electronic tracking bracelets or to comply with curfews. The ruling is a blow to the government, whose lawyers have unsuccessfully argued that laws imposing curfews and tracking technology are justified to protect the community. Five of the seven High Court judges ruled that the tough restrictions placed on more than 100 migrants, usually because of their criminal records, were unconstitutional because the conditions amounted to punishment. The constitution states that punishment must be imposed by judges, not lawmakers. The restrictions were part of emergency laws hastily passed in December in response to another High Court ruling that non-citizens could no longer be detained indefinitely as an alternative to deportation. That ruling in the case of a stateless Rohingya man reversed a 28-year-old High Court precedent that allowed indefinite detention where there were security concerns. Wednesday'

EAM Jaishankar meets Australian Dy PM & Defence Minister Richard Marles

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday shared perspectives on Indo-Pacific and regional developments with Australian Deputy Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles here. Jaishankar is on a five day visit to Australia and scheduled to have interactions with Australian leadership, parliamentarians, members of the Indian diaspora, business community, media and think tanks. Pleased to meet DPM & Defence Minister @RichardMarlesMP today. Spoke about the strong momentum in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Shared perspectives on Indo-Pacific and regional developments, Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting with Marles. Prior to that, the EAM co-chaired the 15th Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Australia and India along with Japan and the US are part of the QUAD bloc, an important platform vis-a-vis Pacific region.

Jaishankar opens new Indian consulate in Brisbane, pays homage to Gandhi

Jaishankar articulated the importance of these democracies and the significance of Quad

Australian govt plans $10.5 billion in student debt cuts to ease costs

Australians are grappling with rising living costs and sticky inflation, compounded by interest rates that are at a 12-year high

Australia sees 38% drop in student visas in 2024: What's happening?

Filipino, Colombian, and Indian students were among those most affected

Australian PM Albanese defends himself from free flight upgrades accusation

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday said he had always acted in a transparent and appropriate way after a new book claimed that he had repeatedly requested free upgrades for personal flights on Qantas Airways. Albanese, who was transport minister in a previous government, was accused in a book released on Monday of developing an inappropriately close relationship with Alan Joyce, who was Qantas chief executive for 15 years until 2023. Qantas is Australia's largest airline and was state-owned until the 1990s. The Sydney-based airline is the country's flag carrier and must by law remain at least 51 per cent Australian owned. According to Qantas insiders, Albanese would liaise with Joyce directly about his personal travel, a published extract of the book said. The insiders were not named. Albanese said he had declared 22 free Qantas upgrades in a register of gifts to lawmakers valued at more than 300 Australian dollars (USD 197). He noted opposition lawmaker Paul ...

Harshit Rana, Nitish Reddy picked for India's Test series against Australia

There is no Mohammed Shami in the squad while Kuldeep Yadav has been advised long term rehabilitation for his groin injury

Australia, New Zealand to unveil new occupation lists for foreign workers

These changes, set to take effect in late 2024, mark a shift from the joint classification used since 2006

King Charles III ends first Australian visit by British monarch in 13 years

King Charles III ends the first visit to Australia by a reigning British monarch in 13 years Tuesday with anti-monarchists hoping his journey is a step toward an Australian citizen becoming head of state. Controversy interrupted the visit on Monday when Indigenous independent senator Lidia Thorpe yelled at Charles during a reception that he was not her king and Australia was not his land. Esther Anatolitis, co-chair of the Australian Republic Movement, that campaigns for an Australian citizen to replace the British monarch as Australia's head of state, said while thousands turned out to see the king and Queen Camilla at their public engagements, the numbers were larger when his mother Queen Elizabeth II first visited Australia 70 years ago. An estimated 75% of Australia's population saw the queen in person during the first visit by a reigning British monarch in 1954. It's understandable that Australians would be welcoming the king and queen, we also welcome them, Anatolitis said. B

'Not my king': Indigenous Australian senator yells at visiting King Charles

An Indigenous senator told King Charles III that Australia is not his land as the British royal visited Australia's parliament on Monday. Sen. Lidia Thorpe was escorted out of a parliamentary reception for the royal couple after shouting that British colonisers have taken Indigenous land and bones. You committed genocide against our people," she shouted. Give us what you stole from us our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty. We want a treaty. No treaty was ever struck between between British colonisers and Australia's Indigenous peoples. Charles spoke quietly with Albanese while security officials stopped Thorpe from approaching. This is not your land. You are not my king, Thorpe yelled as she was ushered from the hall. Thorpe is renowned for high-profile protest action. When she was affirmed as a senator in 2022, she wasn't allowed to describe the then-monarch as the colonising Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She briefly blocked

King Charles III set to visit Australia, Samoa amidst battle with cancer

King Charles III, who is 75 and battling cancer, will travel halfway around the world to Samoa this month to take his seat as the head of the Commonwealth and highlight the existential threat that climate change poses for Pacific island nations. He will also return to Australia, a country that played a key role in Charles' adolescence giving him the chance to be an almost normal teenager during the six months he spent at Timbertop school outside Melbourne in the 1960s. The visit marks the first time since he assumed the throne that Charles will visit one of the 14 countries outside the United Kingdom where the monarch is head of state. The tour, from Friday to Oct. 26, is a watershed moment for Charles, who is slowly returning to public duties after a hiatus following his cancer diagnosis in early February. The decision to undertake such a long journey is seen as a reflection of his workaholic tendencies and his wish to put his stamp on the monarchy after waiting some seven decades

40,000 Indians vie for 1,000 spots in Australia's new work visa ballot

The Working Holiday Maker visa allows Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 to live, work, and travel in Australia for up to 12 months

India-Australia holds 2+2 secretary level consultations in New Delhi

According to Ministry of Defence the the talks were held to consolidate the ties between the two countries and also benefit the whole Indo-Pacific region