Category: Richard Marles

Chinese Spy Threat Forces Review Into Former Soldiers

November 8, 2022
AustraliaAustralian Defence ForceChinaChina-Australia RelationsChinese militaryInfiltrating the WestInternationalInternational RelationsRichard MarlesSpecial TopicsWorld
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Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced a review into ex-members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) after reports retired personnel may have been approached to provide military-related training in China. In a statement on Nov. 9, Marles, also the deputy prime minister, said that a preliminary investigation had found enough evidence to warrant a detailed…

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Chinese Spy Threat Forces Australia Into Review of Former Soldiers

November 8, 2022
AustraliaAustralian Defence ForceChinaChina-Australia RelationsChinese militaryInfiltrating the WestInternationalInternational RelationsRichard MarlesSpecial TopicsWorld
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Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced a review into ex-members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) after reports retired personnel may have been approached to provide military-related training in China. In a statement on Nov. 9, Marles, also the deputy prime minister, said that a preliminary investigation had found enough evidence to warrant a detailed…

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Australia’s Defense Budget Hits 20-year High

October 27, 2022
Asia & PacificAUKUSAustraliaccp threatChinaChina-Australia RelationsInternationalInternational RelationsJim ChalmersRichard MarlesThreat from Communist ChinaUS-China relationsWorld
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In its first budget in nearly a decade, Australia’s Labor government has announced it will follow through with the previous government’s pledge to spend $270 billion (US$174billion) in military capability upgrades by 2030. Under the new budget, defence spending will rise to $48.7 billion this year and eventually reach over two percent of GDP, a…

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Australia Cannot Afford a Defence Gap: Defence Minister

October 10, 2022
ADFAustraliadefence capabilityRichard MarlesWorld
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Australia’s defence minister has announced the federal government will be taking a more hands-on approach to defence capability projects after it was revealed that the defence forces were facing the possibility of a significant capability gap because a tranche of projects are facing significant schedule delays and budget variations. Speaking to ABC Radio on Oct. 10,…

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French Urgings Will Not Push Australia Into Keeping French-Taipan Helicopters If It Is Not in the National Interest: Defence Minister

September 21, 2022
AUKUSAustraliaEmmanuel MacronInternationalNational SecurityRichard MarlesTaipan helicopterUSWorld
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Defence Minister Richard Marles has said French urgings to keep the Australian defence forces fleet of  Taipan helicopters will not be taken into consideration, and instead, the government will rely on what was the right thing to do for the nation’s interests. Australia is currently reviewing the program and capability of its Taipan helicopters after well…

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Russian Tourists Will Not Be Banned From Visiting Australia: Defence Minister

September 19, 2022
AustraliaBusiness & MarketsEuropeRichard MarlesRussia-Ukraine WarRussian sanctionsVolodymyr ZelenskyyWorld
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Australia has rejected Ukraine’s call to stop Russian tourists from entering the country. Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia’s sanctions were focused on the Russian government, “not the Russian people themselves.” “This is not something we are considering at the moment but we are very much a part of the global base of sanctions against…

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Australian Leaders Pay Tribute to Man Who Lifted ‘Great Shadow’ From Humanity

August 31, 2022
anthony albaneseAustraliaEuropeInternationalMikhail GorbachevRichard MarlesRussia-Ukraine WarSoviet UnionWorld
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led tributes to the late former leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, saying he changed the world for the better and that one of the true giants on the 2oth Century was gone. In an official media statement, Albanese said that Gorbachev was instrumental in transitioning the Soviet…

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Defence Minister Unable to Confirm If Solomons’ US Naval Ship Ban Extends to Australia

August 31, 2022
Asia & PacificAustraliaChinaChina-Australia RelationsInternationalInternational RelationsManasseh SogavareNational SecurityRichard MarlesSolomon IslandsSouth PacificUSUS NewsUS-China relationsWorld
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Defence Minister Richard Marles could not confirm whether a recent ban on U.S. naval ship visits to the Solomon Islands extended to Australian vessels. On Aug. 29, the U.S. Embassy in Canberra revealed the Solomon Islands had notified the U.S. authorities of a “moratorium” on all naval visits pending updates to its “protocol procedures.” “We…

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Australian Defence Minister Calls for ‘Normal Peaceful Behaviour’ in Taiwan Strait

August 14, 2022
Asia & PacificAustraliaChinaChina-Australia Relationschina-taiwanInternational RelationsPeter DuttonRichard MarlesWorldXiao Qian
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Australia’s Defence Minister and Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has called for a “return to normal peaceful behaviour” in the Taiwan Strait amid growing tensions in the region following China carrying out several military drills and a diplomatic visit by U.S. House Speaker to Taiwan. Marles said the Labor government wants to maintain its “one China policy”…

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No More Reviews: Veteran Affairs Advocate Says Defence Force Needs Overhaul

August 12, 2022
AustraliaAustralian Defence ForceAustralian veteransChinaChina-Australia RelationsHeston RussellInternationalInternational RelationsRichard MarlesWorld
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It was customary for soldiers of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to “break in” their standard combat boots. “There were not many people who actually had to carry packs and equipment long distances who didn’t have to bash these boots in to make sure they didn’t hurt their feet,” said Heston Russell, a former special…

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