The Latest Breaking News from Penny Wong

Australia and Fiji prepare to cement reunified Pacific

On his final day as Pacific Islands Forum chair, Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka wants to hand a reunified region to its next leader, Mark Brown of Cook Islands.

AAP · Feb 23, 2023

Australia to send drones to Ukraine and expand sanctions against Russia

New measures on first anniversary of Russian invasion form part of pledge to stand with Kyiv ‘for as long as it takes’

The Guardian - AU · Feb 23, 2023

Australia pledges drone system for Ukraine, announces additional sanctions on those complicit in Russia's invasion

Ukraine's defence forces will be given access to Australian drone systems, with the federal government also unveiling a raft of new sanctions against people connected to Russia's invasion.

ABC News · Feb 23, 2023

Pacific leaders meet as Australia nets new agreement

Australia and Kiribati have signed a new memorandum of understanding focusing on security and economic support as Pacific leaders meet.

AAP · Feb 22, 2023

Australia scales up security and development cooperation with Kiribati as China's reach grows

Foreign Minister Penny Wong meets Kiribati's President Taneti Maamau in the capital Tarawa on her first visit since Labor won power last year, promising to cement security ties and invest in infrastructure.

ABC News · Feb 21, 2023

More than two years after the Beirut blast, victims are waiting for justice. Australia can do more

The Beirut blast was not an unfortunate accident, but an avoidable catastrophe and a clear violation of the rights of the victims and their families. Isaac and all of the victims deserve justice, writes his mother Sarah Copland.

ABC News · Feb 21, 2023

Linda Reynolds breaks two-year silence on Brittany Higgins scandal

Former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has broken her two-year silence, saying she has "a very different story" to tell about the Brittany Higgins rape

The New Daily · Feb 17, 2023

Ex-PMs of UK, Australia, Belgium urge tough action on China

Former leaders from Australia, Britain and Belgium have called for a tougher international approach to China to reduce the possibility of war over Taiwan and respond to human rights violations

The Independent UK · Feb 17, 2023

Scott Morrison says he ran out of time to impose sanctions on China over human rights

Australia’s former PM urges new government to apply sanctions amid questions why he stopped short of taking such action when in power

The Guardian - AU · Feb 17, 2023

Australia sends disaster crew to New Zealand, as death toll from former tropical cyclone rises to nine

A 25-strong disaster crew from Australia will be dispatched to New Zealand's north island, as news wires report another death from former tropical cyclone Gabrielle.

ABC News · Feb 17, 2023