Canberra Claims Moscow wasn’t building its new diplomatic headquarters fast enough Australia has terminated the lease for a new Russian embassy in Canberra, the National Capital Authority (NCA) announced on Wednesday. Russia has been given 20 days to vacate the “premium site” in Yarralumla, not far from the Australian parliament, the NCA said in a … Read more
Russia has flagged legal action after Australian bureaucrats scuttled the construction of its new embassy building in Canberra. Key points: The National Capital Authority has terminated the Russian embassy’s lease on a site for its planned new embassy That authority says the decision was made after the embassy missed its three-year construction deadline Russia’s embassy … Read more
A 12-year-old tweet from former prime minister Scott Morrison has come back to haunt the embattled Cook MP as the fallout from his secret ministerial appointments continues. Mr Morrison appointed himself to the health, finance, treasury, resources and home affairs portfolios over the last two years of his prime ministerial tenure. His finance, treasury and … Read more
An ACT Supreme Court jury has been urged to consider whether a group of bikies might have been responsible for a shooting in Canberra last year, during which a drug dealer was shot in the face. Key points: Sugimatatihuna ‘Sugi’ Mena is charged with attempted murder, while Bradley Joe Roberts and Rebecca Dulcie Parlov are … Read more
China is seeing another bipartisan US delegation visit to Taiwan, with Beijing renewing its “prepare for war” warning and launching fresh military drills around the island. Beijing’s show of military might in waters and airspace around Taiwan came just one day after a congressional delegation led by Massachusetts Democratic Senator Ed Markey arrived in Taipei … Read more
A constitutional showdown looms after the ACT’s safety watchdog shuts down the territory’s parliamentary hearings, stunning local politicians. Key points: A safety inspector has banned hearings in the Legislative Assembly, saying the confined rooms are a COVID-19 risk The Speaker, Joy Burch, says the interference is unprecedented and unconstitutional, and she is considering legal action … Read more
Chaos has continued for Australians trying to leave Sydney with scenes of mammoth queues and hopeful travelers captured crammed into the airport check in area. Departures from the domestic terminal appeared worst affected, with a huge line photographed spewing out the doors and down the footpath. The early-morning disruptions follow multiple rounds being fired inside … Read more
A 63-year-old man from New South Wales has been charged with firearm offenses after allegedly firing multiple rounds inside Canberra Airport yesterday. Key points: The man is facing charges of discharging a firearm at a building, unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a firearm near a person, causing alarm The airport was evacuated and … Read more
Canberra Airport has been evacuated after a gunman fired shots in the check-in area of the terminal. A man has been taken into custody by the police and a firearm has been recovered. ACT police say CCTV footage shows the person in custody to be the only person responsible for this incident. What appears to … Read more
Richard Marles says he won’t be drawn into “chest beating” on China as tensions over Taiwan continue to escalate. Instead, the Acting Prime Minister has reiterated his call for calm in the Taiwan Strait after Beijing launched military drills following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei. “What we obviously want to see is a return to … Read more