Under current budget settings, Australia’s defence-to-ODA spending ratio will reach almost 12:1 in 2025–26 and increase to a new record of over 13:1 by 2030.

Within major cities, Pacific migrants tend to cluster in lower-income suburban parts of our capital cities, where housing also tends to be cheaper.

Global stock markets are spooked. U.S markets alone lost nearly US$4 trillion within a day of the tariffs being announced.

The aid budget makes the bold claim that Australia is “reprioritising our development investments to bolster support to our region”.

Established in 2019, JHoPS brings together 24 Pacific island jurisdictions, two observer countries, the United States and Japan, and seven regional organisations to address regional security challenges.

While there are genuine issues to address, particularly around due diligence, the media’s failure to explain the economic benefits of CBI creates a risk that the public and policymakers misunderstand why the scheme persists in Vanuatu.

His comments come at a time when Australia is closely monitoring Khalistani extremism, which has led to concerns about escalating tensions within Indian diaspora communities.

For years, the US and its allies have framed the Pacific within the “Indo-Pacific” strategic construct — primarily aimed at maintaining US primacy and containing a rising and more ambitious China.

Garrett has spent almost 40 years reporting on the Pacific and training regional journalists.

A key driver of the income gap is the lower share of high earners among Pacific migrants.