Richard Marles in the news as Australia amps defence to 3% of GDP; he's the Deputy PM and Defence Minister since 2022, Labor leader.
Australia is sending an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft and missiles to the Gulf for four weeks to support regional defense amid escalating Iran-related attacks. The deployment aims to protect Australians and Gulf nations without engaging in offensive actions, following a request from the UAE and regional tensions.
Since October, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pushed a rapid reorientation of Japan's postwar posture: her government has eased lethal-weapons export rules, the ruling party has opened formal talks on revising the pacifist constitution, and Tokyo has expanded defence ties and arms sales with partners including Australia and potential buyers such as the Philippines and Poland.
Australia has announced a historic increase in defense spending, driven by a planned AU$53 billion investment over the next decade. The government is shifting towards greater self-reliance and regional security, with a focus on modernizing its military capabilities amid rising global tensions. The move is part of a broader strategic update.
Indigenous protocols are being defended by leaders who label Welcome to Country as a long-standing cultural practice, while disruptions at Anzac Day dawn services in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth are condemned by veterans and politicians. Opposition figures suggest the ceremony is overused, triggering debates about national identity. The events are shaping by-election discourse in NSW’s Farrer seat.