You can tell that something has shifted in Canberra. The hourly, daily thunder of the hung parliament and campaign and the whirl of the election result have been replaced with something more subdued, even mild-mannered. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has signalled a desire to take politics off the front pages. Parliament may not be back … Continue reading New Australian government adopts policy of media silence
Asylum seekers drown on way to Australia
About 20 people, mostly children under 15 years old, died when an asylum seeker vessel sank off the southern coast of Java on its way to Australia. Adjunct Commissioner Warsono from the Agrabinta Police has confirmed that 25 people were rescued before the search was called off at nightfall. He could not say how many … Continue reading Asylum seekers drown on way to Australia
Australia bans Malaysian human rights activist; government’s new stance
A leading Malaysian rights activist who faces sedition charges at home says he was denied a visa to enter Australia, raising suggestions Canberra had buckled to pressure from Kuala Lumpur. Haris Ibrahim, a strident campaigner against the Malaysian government now headed by Prime Minister Najib Razak, said he was seeking a meeting with Australian officials … Continue reading Australia bans Malaysian human rights activist; government’s new stance
Indonesia warns Australia against turning back asylum-seeker boats
Indonesia has raised the ante in its dispute with the Abbott government over turning back asylum-seeker boats, saying its plan puts at risk Jakarta's "close cooperation and trust". The warning came as Tony Abbot sought to reassure the Jakarta “we absolutely respect Indonesia's sovereignty and we would never do or propose anything which is contrary … Continue reading Indonesia warns Australia against turning back asylum-seeker boats
Indonesia wants more of Australia’s land; 1.5 million hectares not enough
The Indonesian government may be in the market for an even larger slice of Australian land than the 1.5 million hectares it has proposed. Comments from the Finance Minister Chatib Basri and Deputy Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi indicate large parcels of Australian land may play a crucial role in the security of Indonesia's beef supply. … Continue reading Indonesia wants more of Australia’s land; 1.5 million hectares not enough
Australia to decide between aid or retaliation for Syria
Julie Bishop, Australia's new Foreign Minister, faces perhaps the most important first week on the job of any previous incumbent for a generation. Bishop will travel to New York to participate in United Nations Security Council deliberations seeking to resolve the terrible conflict in Syria, and in particular ensure that chemical weapons play no further … Continue reading Australia to decide between aid or retaliation for Syria
Indonesia becomes fifth country in WTO fight over Australia’s tobacco law
The Australian Government has re-affirmed its commitment to tobacco plain packaging laws, in the face of a new challenge to the policy by Indonesia. The World Trade Organisation says Indonesia has made a formal request for consultations with Australia on the issue, which under the Geneva-based organisation's rules is the first step towards a full-blown … Continue reading Indonesia becomes fifth country in WTO fight over Australia’s tobacco law
Australian navy to protect sea lanes to China, Japan and South Korea
Protecting the massive resources projects in northern and Western Australia and export supply lines to China, Japan and South Korea will be a major Defence priority for the Abbott government.New Defence Minister David Johnston said last night that this was one reason the navy needed highly capable long-range submarines to complement its surface warships."We have … Continue reading Australian navy to protect sea lanes to China, Japan and South Korea
Australian government stops flow of information about asylum seekers
The Australian Coalition government has shut down the flow of information on the arrival of asylum vessels and the transfer of people offshore under the military-led Operation Sovereign Borders. Despite seizing on public information to attack the Labor government for every unauthorised vessel intercepted over the last six years, newly sworn-in Immigration Minister Scott Morrison … Continue reading Australian government stops flow of information about asylum seekers
English teaching in Australia fails the test
When Alice in Wonderland cried "curiouser and curiouser" she could have been describing what passes for English teaching in the national curriculum and official classroom resources. As Justine Ferrari reports, (High-school classes go for pop culture, Monday) students are now expected to "create an artwork from trash, play the logo quiz, study car and perfume … Continue reading English teaching in Australia fails the test
Australia abolishes Climate Commission
The Abbott government has moved swiftly to disband the Climate Commission and sack its commissioners, including controversial chief commissioner Tim Flannery. Environment Minister Greg Hunt telephoned Professor Flannery today in what was described as a civil discussion delivering expected news. The Coalition is fulfilling an election promise to dispense with the commission, saving taxpayers $580,000 … Continue reading Australia abolishes Climate Commission
New Australian government has only one female cabinet member
It's a sad day for the nation when the cabinet of Afghanistan has more women in it than the cabinet of Australia, says acting Labor leader Chris Bowen. Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott unveiled his ministerial line up on Monday, revealing the only woman in the cabinet is Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop. The outgoing Labor … Continue reading New Australian government has only one female cabinet member
Australia’s military takes over border protection; SAS commander in charge
Deputy Chief of Army Angus Campbell will be named Tony Abbott's three-star military commander of border protection, with the job of co-ordinating the new government's tough asylum-seeker policies. The former SAS commander and deputy National Security Adviser has emerged as Defence's choice to head up the 16 departments and agencies under the Coalition's Operation Sovereign … Continue reading Australia’s military takes over border protection; SAS commander in charge
Indonesian asylum-seekers give up hope on Australia
As the realisation takes hold that they are shut out of Australia, growing numbers of asylum-seekers trapped in Indonesia are considering voluntarily returning to their homelands. Asylum-seekers in Cisarua, south of Jakarta, told The Australian that Tony Abbott's election victory was the final blow to lingering hopes of getting to Australia by boat and being allowed … Continue reading Indonesian asylum-seekers give up hope on Australia
Australia could be first country in world to ban smoking
Australia could become the first major nation to outlaw smoking, with a federal government-funded trial about to test the viability of electronic cigarettes as a safer, permanent replacement for tobacco. Medical experts, cancer groups and anti-smoking lobbyists battled for decades to rid cigarettes from public spaces. ''E-cigarettes'' are battery-powered devices that simulate the effects … Continue reading Australia could be first country in world to ban smoking
Australian man may be suicide bomber in Syria
An Australian man is suspected of carrying out a suicide bombing attack in Syria on behalf of the proscribed terror group the al-Nusrah Front. Photos of the suspected bomber with his face blurred out have been circulating on social media websites as community members in Australia attempted to verify his identity. Some sites were reporting … Continue reading Australian man may be suicide bomber in Syria
Indonesia rejects Australian people-smuggler plan
Jakarta has signalled its reluctance to embrace a key plank of Tony Abbott's asylum-seeker policy, with the Indonesian Foreign Minister criticising the plan to pay villagers for information about people-smugglers, saying it risked undermining his nation's sovereignty. In a day of tension between Australia and its nearest neighbour, a policy row also erupted over foreign … Continue reading Indonesia rejects Australian people-smuggler plan
Australia risks losing specialist teachers in English, maths, history and other subjects
The focus on generic skills in Australia's new national curriculum risks breeding a profession of general-capabilities educators rather than teachers of specialist subjects such as history, English or maths. Former president of the national History Teachers Association Paul Kiem - who has written about school history in a collection of essays, Australian History Now, launched … Continue reading Australia risks losing specialist teachers in English, maths, history and other subjects
Indonesia invites Australia for controversial “turn back the boats” asylum-seeker talks
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has opened the way for Australia's Tony Abbott to make his first foreign visit as prime minister to Indonesia, with bilateral talks on the controversial policy of turning around asylum-seeker boats possible within a fortnight. The development came as another key plank of Mr Abbott's asylum-seeker policy began to take … Continue reading Indonesia invites Australia for controversial “turn back the boats” asylum-seeker talks
US investment in Australia helps both countries in China
Massive investments by the US in Australian resources projects are helping both nations develop a healthy relationship with China, says departing American ambassador Jeffrey Bleich. "People like to spin out doomsday scenarios," Mr Bleich told The Australian in a farewell interview. "They sell books and newspapers," he said, of the view that China and the … Continue reading US investment in Australia helps both countries in China
Australia to continue Papua New Guinea asylum seeker scheme
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says he expects a Tony Abbott-led government to respect the asylum-seeker processing arrangements made with former prime minister Kevin Rudd. But Mr O'Neill says he is open to the scheme being reviewed. "The resettlement program (asylum-seeker deal) and the infrastructure development program associated with this, negotiated and agreed … Continue reading Australia to continue Papua New Guinea asylum seeker scheme
New Australian leader likened to George W Bush
A "compassionate conservative" in the tradition of George W Bush, a "bigoted air-head" and a leader with a markedly different view on a strike on Syria were among the international assessments of Australia's prime minister elect Tony Abbott. UK Prime Minister David Cameron called to congratulate Mr Abbott following the election before taking to Twitter … Continue reading New Australian leader likened to George W Bush
Australia has a new government
Tony Abbott has become Australia's 28th prime minister, declaring from today "Australia is under new management ."Abbott said he was "proud and humbled" to "shoulder the duties of government", as he spoke to his supporters today after his victorious win."I now look forward to forming a government that is competent, that is trustworthy, and which … Continue reading Australia has a new government
China concerned about Australian opposition leader; possible future leader
If the polls are right, conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott will be Australia's next prime minister. Abbott goes into tomorrow's election with little-to-no foreign policy experience, and throughout the campaign he offered few clues to his approach - especially regarding Australia's crucial relationship with China. But strategic experts are pinning their hopes on Abbott emulating … Continue reading China concerned about Australian opposition leader; possible future leader
Australian opposition plans to relegate asylum seekers to military, keep numbers secret
Australians may never know how many asylum-seeker boats arrive under a Coalition government, with opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison refusing to release details about boat arrivals without the approval of a three-star general. The Coalition has previously said it would appoint a three-star military officer to command a joint taskforce, which will include some 12 … Continue reading Australian opposition plans to relegate asylum seekers to military, keep numbers secret
Craig Hill 