Australia

Teal MP Allegra Spender says taxpayers are spending too much on ministerial flights because their staff are failing to shop around for a better deal. But Flight Centre CEO Graham Turner questioned that claim.

Beijing has stepped up operations in the Indo-Pacific with new defence exercises while at least seven groups of Chinese warships were spotted operating across the western Pacific at the beginning of the week. 

Paul Brereton, the ex-judge who investigated the SAS, was told by a Liberal senator he should have chosen between leading the Anti-Corruption Commission and pursuing veterans.

PERIN DAVEY: The ban is unworkable in practice and risks fostering a culture of defiance rather than one built on digital literacy, responsibility and resilience. 

The Bureau of Meteorology has updated its rain radar and weather map in a bid to make it easier for users to navigate after a backlash over its $96.5m new website spend. 

While millions of underage accounts across ten platforms were slated to be deactivated on Wednesday, younger users have flooded Anthony Albanese’s profiles to criticise the policy and saying it ‘didn’t work’. 

AARON PATRICK: Despite overwhelming public support for banning children from some sites, the rule could drive teenagers to dark parts of the internet.

A legal team for Charif Kazal made the bold call after the Albanese Government refused to apologise and compensate the Sydney businessman over a corruption finding brushed by prosecutors.

An Australian-made, AI-powered lethal drone could soon become a ‘fully operational war fighting’ asset for the Australian military, with the govt to pump a further billion dollars into the Ghost Bat program. 

Former defence minister Linda Reynolds has hit a legal delay in her defamation lawsuit against Brittany Higgins, caused by a simple act of ‘respect’ towards her former staffer.

China has emerged as the world's biggest spender on clean energy technology and its lack of investments in Australia could be cause for concern.

The Pentagon’s review has affirmed the timeline for the ambitious nuclear-submarine endeavour, but another key US defence document is soon expected to refer to Australia as a ‘dependent’ rather than an ally. 

The grim warning on Beijing’s flotilla in the Philippine Sea came the same week that Beijing flexed its maritime muscle with more than 100 vessels in the region.

Stephen Smith has hit back at criticisms that he has been a ‘dud in the job’ as High Commissioner to the UK, saying his critics were past their use-by date.

A buying spree on luxury items from shoes to concert tickets could force the central bank to reverse three interest rate cuts - and potentially go further.