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Australia and Japan have agreed next steps to enhance defence and security cooperation, in order to support our shared ambition for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae of Japan met in Canberra today and issued the Joint Statement on Enhanced Defence and Security Cooperation.

This marks a natural evolution of our already close cooperation with Japan. Building on decades of engagement, the 2022 Australia-Japan Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, the 2023 Australia-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and last December’s establishment of the Framework for Strategic Defence Cooperation (FSDC), it focuses on strengthening capability, deepening integration and bolstering interoperability between Australia and Japan.

Key priorities include increased information sharing; co-development, co-production and co-sustainment of defence capabilities; advanced weapons testing; enhanced training and exercises; joint maintenance and sustainment of assets, and closer collaboration to secure supply chains and critical maritime routes.

It also reflects a shared commitment to deepening cooperation in key areas, including defence industry following Australia’s decision to procure the upgraded Mogami class frigates for Australia’s general purpose frigate program.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“In a complex strategic environment, cooperation between Australia and Japan is essential to maintaining a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

“Enhanced defence and security cooperation between Australia and Japan increases interoperability between our defence forces, ensuring Australia and Japan can work closely together to support regional peace and security.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles

“Our enhanced defence cooperation with Japan means our forces can train, plan and operate together with greater sophistication – strengthening our combined capability and supporting deterrence.”  

“Australia and Japan share a strong commitment to regional stability, and at a time of global uncertainty, strengthening our longstanding defence cooperation is more important than ever.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs

“As Special Strategic Partners, Australia and Japan are stepping up our defence and security cooperation as part of our efforts to ensure a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

“In these uncertain times, middle powers must keep working together for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and a world where no country dominates and no country is dominated.”

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Hunter Region.

Robert Symons, aged 55, was last seen in Singleton on Wednesday 15 April 2026.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified about 8pm today (Sunday 3 May 2026) and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for Robert’s welfare as he lives with a medical condition.

Robert is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of large build, with brown hair and green eyes.

He may be driving a gold Mazda with NSW registration VKY544.

Robert is believed to frequent the Singleton and Wetherill Park areas.

The Albanese Government is strengthening the nation’s sovereign defence industrial base, resilience and self-reliance by investing an initial $126.9 million to establish solid rocket motor production in Australia.

Solid rocket motors provide the propulsion required for most guided weapons, and are in high demand worldwide.

Northrop Grumman Australia has been selected as the preferred industry partner to help establish domestic solid rocket motor manufacturing. This decision will leverage recently completed upgrades to facilities at the Government-owned Mulwala munitions factory in New South Wales in order to fast-track Australian production of these critical missile components.

Australia will begin by producing rocket motors for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missile at Mulwala by 2030.

A dedicated Rocket Motor Manufacturing Complex, designed to deliver high-rate production of multiple types of solid rocket motors, is planned to be operational from 2033.

In addition, Defence will work with DefendTex, Black Sky Industries and Anduril Australia to explore their novel manufacturing methods, with the potential for further opportunities to be extended to other Australian providers once domestic solid rocket motor manufacturing has been established.

This initiative will strengthen Australia’s defence supply chains and open new opportunities for Australian small to medium enterprises to enter the global market. By partnering with experienced and proven international rocket motor manufacturers, the program will build local industry capability at speed, support Australian businesses and create highly skilled jobs.

This announcement builds on Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)’s successful static firing of the first DRACO solid rocket motor at Woomera in February. DRACO is an Australian designed and developed rocket motor, and this Australian-first firing marked a major milestone in advanced rocket motor research and development.

Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“The Albanese Government’s investment in rocket motor manufacturing will strengthen Australia’s self-reliance, while supporting our industrial base and creating jobs for locals.

“This investment will ensure the Australian Defence Force has reliable, resilient access to the capabilities needed to defend Australia and our immediate region.

“The successful static firing of the DRACO solid rocket motor shows how quickly Australia’s expertise in energetics and missile technology is advancing. It’s a major step for sovereign capability, industry collaboration, and our long term defence preparedness.”

Today, we are pleased to announce Australia and the Republic of Korea have renewed our commitment to work together to maintain a stable, secure and reliable supply of diesel and other liquid fuels.

This follows sustained, direct engagement with international counterparts as part of the Albanese Government’s efforts to strengthen Australia’s fuel security.

Australia and South Korea are Comprehensive Strategic Partners with closely aligned strategic interests, a significant and complementary trading relationship, and vibrant people-to-people links. South Korea is one of Australia’s largest suppliers of refined petroleum products, and our largest supplier of diesel.

We have reaffirmed our shared commitment to open markets and rules-based trade, and have agreed to work together to address unjustified import and export restrictions and support open trade arrangements for energy and liquid fuels.

We have committed to work together to strengthen our supply chain resilience for energy resources, including through deepening regional cooperation and accelerating the energy transition.

We have agreed to notify and consult each other on potential trade disruptions, giving Australia advance warning of any fuel shortages and enough time to prepare.

We acknowledge the particular vulnerabilities of Pacific Island countries and will work to help uphold the resilience of their energy markets. We know our Pacific neighbours are experiencing the full impact of this crisis, and they remain at the front of our mind.

Along with our recent statements with Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia, this joint statement will put us in a strong position to manage our fuel security through the ongoing disruption to global energy markets as a result of the Middle East conflict and effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong:

“The Albanese Government is working with international partners to help secure the supplies we need – including diesel, petrol and fertiliser – and ensure Australia is prioritised as a reliable energy partner.

“The Republic of Korea is Australia’s top supplier of diesel. These imports enable Australia to continue being a reliable exporter of energy, food and other commodities to our region.

“We will continue working together to strengthen energy security, manage global shocks and help ensure peace, stability and prosperity in our region.”

Energy Minister Chris Bowen: 

“The Albanese Labor Government has acted swiftly and decisively to secure additional fuel for Australians and shore up our trading ties with major partners like the Republic of Korea.

“This partnership will help to keep Australia moving amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East while taking practical steps to harness the economic benefits of the energy transition for our region.”

Resources Minister Madeleine King:

“Australia remains a trusted, long-term and most importantly, stable energy and resources partner with countries throughout our region.

“We are resolutely committed to supplying the energy that Korea and other partner nations need to provide global economic stability and security. 

“We have seen in recent weeks how vulnerable energy supply chains can be to disruption and supply shocks.

“Australia by contrast has remained a trusted and reliable supplier of energy for well over half a century.”

Minns doubles down on speech ban while waiting for Queensland challenge

The Premier has told 2GB’s Ben Fordham today that he will not progress a proposed ban on the phrase “globalise the intifada” until a challenge to Queensland laws is resolved, while doubling down on his desire to ban the phrase. During the interview, the Premier conceded that other rushed and unconstitutional laws have put NSW in a worse off position than before.

Greens MP, Solicitor and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said,

“Premier Minns’ comments this morning are deeply concerning, and show that he is determined to keep threatening the community with more draconian anti-protest laws that eat at our civil liberties,”

“The Premier has consistently abused his position in reaching for new laws and heavier penalties in response to legitimate political expression and especially the pro Palestine protest movement, but he’s now been humiliated and embarrassed by losing two nationally significant constitutional challenges over his anti-protest agenda,”

“It’s very worrying that the Premier, with his track record of getting it wrong, can continue to advocate for laws that are likely to be deemed unconstitutional. There are very few constraints on state government power, the constitution is one of them. At least he seems to have recognised the risks and dangers to his own credibility and reputation through pursuing invalid laws, but he is still completely blind to the harm caused to the community and the danger to our democracy,”

“He needs to stop threatening political expression to please the Zionist lobby. Laws that try to ban the phrase ‘Globalise the Intifada’ will more than likely breach the constitution because that is serious overreach. We have hate speech laws that focus on what matters and that is intention and context in addition to what is actually said. I just wish the Premier would up skill on the law and save us all the harm, damage and costs,”

Our hearts ache for the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby and their community. The pain and grief being felt in Mparntwe Alice Springs and across the nation for the loss of this little girl is immense, and words cannot express the heartbreak of this loss. 

We support the family and community of Kumanjayi Little Baby and their right to grieve in accordance with cultural practices. The community must be given the respect it needs during this time of Sorry Business.

There will be questions about how to prevent anything like this happening again. The response must be evidence based and led by Aboriginal women and their communities. Aboriginal self-determination and leadership is critical to women and children’s safety. 

We condemn all violence against First Nations women and children. It is a human rights abuse and an epidemic. We must take leadership from and work in solidarity with First Nations women to address it.

After years of dedicated First Nations advocacy, a community-led plan to end violence, Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices, was launched in March 2026. Governments must ensure funding and commitment to specialised services, and support the national peak body, Our Ways Strong Together. 

Federal intervention in First Nations communities has at best failed to deliver lasting change and at worst been harmful to those communities. Top down political responses do not work. Evidence based, community led responses focused on healing and safety do. 

Thank you to everyone who helped with the search, and all those who will hold her family close in this sorry time.

We owe it to Kumanjayi Little Baby, her family and her community to do better. Violence to Aboriginal women and children must end. 

Passive chemical exposure, human health at threat through Central West townships

Evidence of passive chemical exposure from agricultural poisons is observable on the streets throughout Dubbo and Narromine with significant die-back in vegetation that is causing permanent harm to the local environment and silently poisoning the community at large.

Members of the local community were joined by Greens MP Sue Higginson outside Dubbo Base Hospital on Thursday 30 April, calling for the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to commence baseline evidence gathering to establish the likely threat to human health as a result of passive chemical exposure.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Agriculture and the Environment Sue Higginson said,

“The sheer scale of the evidence that agricultural poisons are present in Dubbo and Narromine is shocking, and worse, this has been going on for decades. There is barely a street in Dubbo that doesn’t have a tree dying from the top down as these chemicals blow across town from season to season,”

“It was only because of community pressure that the EPA started air quality monitoring in more rural areas around the Central West – and those tests have demonstrated widespread detections of banned chemicals and other chemicals that affect human development, cancer rates and reproductive health,”

“It’s time for the EPA to act in the interests of community health and safety in the towns of the Central West. We have a right to know the chemicals that are settling on the trees and streets of Dubbo and Narromine, and the concentrations that people are being exposed to,”

“This is not just a local issue. The knock on effects of the entire Central West being exposed to invisible poisons is harmful for our food systems, water health, and the natural world that is essential for humans to live and thrive,”

“Narromine Shire Council has already passed a motion requesting air quality monitoring in Narromine, and Dubbo should ask the EPA for the same. We can see there are chemicals falling in these communities, so these communities have a right to know how they are being exposed,”

The Coalition will more than double Australia’s minimum fuel reserves to 60 days and deliver at least 1 billion litres of new storage through an $800 million Australian Fuel Security Facility to protect Australians’ way of life and restore their standard of living.

This is a practical plan the government can adopt now to keep the economy moving and ensure Australian’s are not left exposed when global shocks hit.

The Coalition is calling on the Government to lift baseline stockholding levels from 1 January 2027, locking in current average stock levels as the new minimum. That will increase minimum levels for critical fuels in aggregate by nearly 25 per cent.

Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor said Australians expect their country to keep running, but in a crisis the Prime Minister is always last to lead.

“This is a plan the Prime Minister should pick up today. No excuses, no delays,” Mr Taylor said.

“If fuel stops, Australia stops. It’s that simple. Trucks don’t move, supermarkets don’t stock, businesses shut their doors.”

“We are putting forward a practical plan to make sure that never happens. More fuel in reserve, more storage on the ground, and a country that can stand on its own two feet.”

“This is about protecting Australians’ way of life and restoring their standard of living. You don’t do that with talk. You do it with action.”

Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said families and businesses needed confidence that fuel would be there when they needed it.

“People in the regions know how serious this is. If the diesel doesn’t turn up, the farm doesn’t run and the shelves go empty,” Senator Canavan said.

“This plan is just common sense. Keep more fuel here in Australia so we are not relying on overseas supply lines that can be cut overnight.”

“We cannot keep hoping for the best. We need to be ready, and this plan gets us there.”

Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Dan Tehan said the Coalition’s plan delivered a clear pathway to stronger fuel security.

“This is a practical, achievable plan that strengthens our fuel supply chain and backs Australian industry,” Mr Tehan said.

“It works with industry, builds storage where it is needed, and makes sure we have the buffer to withstand global shocks.”

Under the Coalition’s proposal, the government would work with industry on a clear roadmap to lift stockholdings in step with new storage coming online. If we start today, delivering 60 days of fuel security by 2030 is achievable.

Our plan to more than double Australia’s minimum fuel reserves is prudent insurance against the very real risk to our fuel security, which households and small businesses have experienced first hand. 

Together with measures announced last week to unlock Australia’s oil and gas reserves, the Coalition’s plan will bring Australia within range of our 90 day international oil stockholding ambition.

The Coalition understands that fuel security is national security. In government, we legislated the Minimum Stockholding Obligation, funded new fuel storage, and backed our refineries.

This stands in stark contrast to the Albanese Labor Government, which has cut funding for fuel storage, failed to build resilience, and left Australia exposed.

The Coalition’s plan is a comprehensive suite of measures to strengthen Australia’s fuel security:

Reducing the cost of fuel

• Australians are being hit at the bowser and it flows through to groceries, freight and bills
• That’s why we drove moves to halve the fuel excise and cut the heavy vehicle road user charge
• This immediate relief lowers costs across the economy and takes pressure off families and small businesses
• We have also committed to abolish the safeguards mechanism which is a carbon tax on business, this would save our refineries $165 million to 2029-30 according to some estimates. 

Strengthening transparency and resilience on fuel supplies

• In a crisis, Australians deserve clarity, not confusion
• We have called for the establishment of a daily public fuel data dashboard so Australians can see supply levels and shipping in real time
• We will increase fuel supply monitoring and storage to ensure government and industry are ahead of disruptions, not reacting to them.
• We have called for a Parliamentary Inquiry to learn the lessons of this crisis, restore confidence in the system and ensure Australia is never left in the dark again. 

Building strategic fuel security

• Australia is dangerously exposed at the end of long global supply chains
• We will more than double minimum stockholding levels to 60 days for critical fuels
• We will establish an $800 million Australian Fuel Security Facility to unlock over 1 billion litres of new storage capacity, with a focus on diesel
• This is about resilience: making sure Australia can stand on its own two feet when global shocks hit

Unlocking Australian fuel supply

• The long-term answer is simple: more Australian fuel for Australians
• We supported legislation to underwrite fuel imports in the short term while domestic supply ramps up
• We will reverse regulatory barriers through EPBC reforms that are deliberately slowing oil and gas approvals
• We will designate National Strategic Priority Projects to fast-track nationally significant developments
• And we will reinstate the Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive, including $50 million for oil and gas, to unlock the next wave of discoveries

This is a plan focused on one thing: making sure Australia keeps moving no matter what the world throws at us.

Because when you get fuel security right, you protect jobs, you back businesses, and you give Australians the confidence that their way of life is secure.