AUKUS

Grenville Cross: It is regrettable that some governments have chosen to abuse the system for political purposes. Australia sought to frighten its people into avoiding Hong Kong after the enactment of the National Security Law for Hong Kong (NSL) Cross: Hong Kong is a human rights trailblazer when it comes to protections for those accused of national security offenses.

Australia commits another $4.6bn to AUKUS, and Pauline Hanson revisits her maiden parliamentary speech 28 years on. Former Australian swimmer Tracey Wickham says Brisbane should give Sydney the 2032 Olympics because of a chaotic three years. Queensland Premier Steven Miles scrapped the $2.7 million Gabba rebuild after a review recommended the Victoria Park Stadium instead. Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli vows to fix the Olympic mess in just 100 days if elected in October.

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said AUKUS submarine capabilities have enormous implications in a variety of scenarios, including in cross-strait circumstances. US wants to use this trilateral partnership to challenge the status quo in the Taiwan Straits with the intention of deterring the Chinese mainland. China-related issues, be they the Taiwan question or the South China Sea issue, will top the agenda of any US alliance established in Asia-Pacific.

Aussie taxpayers will foot a $4.7bn bill to bolster the UK production of the reactors required for the nuclear-powered submarine fleet under the AUKUS agreement. Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong will travel to Adelaide on Friday to unveil the crucial next steps towards the triennial partnership. Domestic shipbuilder ASC will partner with BAE Systems under a joint venture to build the submarines at the Osborne Naval Shipyard.

China concerned by major AUKUS news that will gravely concern China. The countries have given their strongest indication yet that Japan could be brought into the pact, in news China is set to strongly criticise. It sparked a warning from China that bringing in Japan risked escalating the arms race.

Community opposition to the AUKUS project finds expression in Sydney suburb of Marrickville. Nick Deane is an ex-public servant with a degree in Sociology. He is the convenor of a group of more than 30 community groups who met to discuss the project and mobilise and encourage public opposition to it. Deane says AUKUUS is contrary to Australias best interests so deserves concerted opposition.

Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines under a $368 billion spend. The government will spend $4.6 billion on a submarine nuclear reactor factory in the UK. At least $2 billion has been committed to build a submarine construction yard at Osborne shipyard.

Chinese displeasure with the Aukus deal spilled over into talks in Wellington. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters confirmed Wang had raised New Zealands exploratory discussions about the elements of the pact focused on advanced technologies (better known as Pillar Two)