Australia bans foreigners from parliament internships after unease about China
SYDNEY – Foreigners have been banned from working as interns for Australian members of parliament, a spokesman for the Senate said, in a reform apparently aimed at blocking Chinese prying…
Pacific leaders sign on to Australian internet cabling scheme, shutting out China
SYDNEY – Pacific nations Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands have signed on to a joint undersea internet cable project, funded mostly by Australia, that forestalls plans by Chinese…
Australian billionaire James Packer quits own company amid illness
SYDNEY – Australian billionaire James Packer has quit the board of his private company Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH), a spokesman said, four months after he left the board of casino operator…
Top-ranked Australian university hit by Chinese hackers: media
SYDNEY – Australia‘s top-ranked university has said it had spent several months fighting off a threat to its computer systems, which media said had been compromised by Chinese hackers. Repeated…
Scientists eye genome mapping to help chlamydia-stricken koalas
SYDNEY – Scientists who have mapped the genome of Australia’s symbolic animal, the koala, say it could help them develop better vaccines to treat the animals, who are battling an…
Australia sees 50 pct chance of El Nino developing this year
SYDNEY – A recent warming of the Pacific Ocean has led to a 50 percent chance of an El Nino weather event developing this year, Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said.…
Australian archbishop sentenced to a year’s detention over sex abuse cover up
SYDNEY – An Australian archbishop has been sentenced to a year in detention for concealing child sexual abuse by a priest, but will remain on bail while his suitability for…
Australian supermarkets work to prevent “bag rage” as plastics ban takes effect
SYDNEY – Australia’s biggest supermarket chains are scrambling to combat “bag rage” as frustrated shoppers vent their anger over the removal of single-use plastic bags. One man put his hands…
Australia wins landmark WTO ruling on plain tobacco packaging
GENEVA – Australia has triumphed in a major trade dispute over its pioneering “plain” tobacco packaging law, with World Trade Organisation judges rejecting a complaint brought by Cuba, Indonesia, Honduras and…
Australia to buy six US Triton drones for $1.4 bn
MELBOURNE – Australia will buy six US Triton remotely piloted aircraft to beef up its maritime patrols, with the initial investment of $1.4 billion for the first drone, Prime Minister…
