CANBERRA — Australia and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday finalized a free trade agreement (FTA) worth AUD10 billion (approximately $7 billion) alongside a Security and Defense Partnership (SDP), marking the conclusion of eight years of negotiations. Read More: UK open to looser ‘Australia-style’ trade deal with EU The FTA is expected to expand market access for Australian […]
Anthony Albanese
Australia grants asylum visas to five Iran’s women’s national football team
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five members of Iran’s women’s national football team after they sought asylum, fearing persecution if they returned home amid rising political tensions. The players were in Australia for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup when they reportedly approached authorities for protection. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Tuesday that […]
Australian refuses to repatriate women and children from Al Roj camp
CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reiterated that his country will not repatriate women and children from Al Roj camp, a detention facility housing individuals with alleged ties to Islamic State. Read More: Daesh threat hovers over Syria camp, rattling authorities On Monday, 34 women and children from 11 families were scheduled to travel from […]
Australia, Indonesia sign security treaty to boost military cooperation
JAKARTA/CANBERRA: Australia and Indonesia signed a landmark security treaty on Friday, establishing closer military cooperation and new defence training initiatives between the two nations. The agreement, signed at Jakarta’s Merdeka Palace, will see Australia supporting the development of military training facilities in Indonesia and embedding a senior Indonesian officer within Australia’s defence force, Prime Minister […]
Australia toughens gun, hate crime laws
Australia’s lower house approved stricter gun laws and tougher hate crime measures after December’s Bondi Beach shooting. The bills now move to the Senate for final debate. The reforms respond to the attack that killed 15 people and shocked the nation. The gun laws include the largest national buyback program since 1996 and stronger background […]
Australia PM vows tougher gun laws after Bondi beach attack
SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese clarified the immigration status of the two suspects involved in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting, describing the attack as an act of antisemitic terrorism. Fifteen people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed when a father and son opened fire at a Hanukkah event on Sunday, December 14. Read More: […]
Albanese secures second term as Australian PM with strong public support
Anthony Albanese has won a second term as Australia’s Prime Minister after defeating opposition leader Peter Dutton by a wide margin. His centre-left Labour Party performed strongly in the national elections, gaining the public’s trust during uncertain global times. Peter Dutton accepted defeat and called Albanese to congratulate him. He admitted that the opposition failed […]