Australia

Indonesia suspends military co-operation with Australia

Army spokesman Maj Gen Wuryanto said the halt came into force in December and a broad range of activities were affected, including joint training.

Australian Defence officials confirmed Indonesia had halted all defence co-operation over "teaching materials".

Bilateral relations have been tense at times in recent years, although there were recent signs of improvement.

"All forms of co-operation with the Australian military, including joint training, have been temporarily withheld. I hope it can be resolved as soon as possible," Maj Gen Wuryanto said.

One in five Pacific Islanders would move to Australia under new migration proposal

The proposal, from international policy think-tank the Lowy Institute, was prompted by what it describes as a “bleak” economic outlook for the region and a call from Malcolm Turnbull for a “step change” in engagement.

It also includes a more modest suggestion in which Australia attracts around 3000 Pacific Islanders per year to work permanently to deliver more benefits to the region by 2040 than the current aid program.

Jonathan Pryke, one of the report’s authors, said there was a “real need for change in the way we engage with the Pacific”.

Qantas to fly from London to Australia non-stop

Australia's national carrier says it will connect Perth, in the west of the country, to the UK capital using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

The 9,000 mile (14,498km) flight will take 17 hours.

Perth will be a hub for passengers from eastern Australia going to the UK, tourism minister Steven Ciobo said.

He also said the new service would boost employment and tourism in Australia, a sector growing three times faster than the rest of the national economy, and one that supports 580,000 jobs.

Cooks aims for better response to invasive species

This comes after the importation of avocado trees from New Zealand and Australia seven years ago was believed to be the source of the destructive black twig borer now present in the country.

Minister Kiriau Turepu said both the ministry and private individuals had brought in the plants but he said it was a problem he had only been made aware of in the past two weeks.

Mr Turepu said the problem in the Cook Islands was the lack of a post quarantine facility to ensure the plants were disease free.

But he said he expected this to change quickly.

Bipartisan visit to Solomon Islands, Samoa and Vanuatu

 MS Bishop is accompanied by Labor Senators, Hon Penny Wong and Claire Moore on the trip.

The visit to Solomon Island, Vanuatu and Samoa is aimed at meeting with the Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of each country on a range of issues including regional stability, development challenges and emergency responses.

Ms Bishop said the visit to Solomon Islands will reiterate Australia's continuing commitment to peace and stability after the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) withdraws in June 2017.

England beat Australia to equal all-time record of 14 wins

 

Old Mutual Wealth Series

England (13) 37

Tries: Joseph 2, Yarde, Youngs Cons: Farrell 3, Ford Pens: Farrell 3

Australia (16) 21

Tries: Naivalu, Kepu Cons: Foley Pens: Foley 3

Autumn internationals: Ireland 27-24 Australia

Tries from Iain Henderson and Garry Ringrose helped the hosts to a 17-0 lead but the Wallabies fought back with three touchdowns to move into the lead.

Keith Earls' score proved decisive but it was the Irish forwards who laid the platform in a breathless encounter.

The result ended Australia's hopes of a Grand Slam over the home nations.

They had defeated Wales, Scotland and France and will face England in the final match of their northern hemisphere tour next week.

Australian Visa Application Service Fees in the South Pacific

This will affect clients submitting visa applications in Fiji, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Nauru and Kiribati.

The changes have been announced by the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Changes to TTS Service fees

The following TTS Service Fees will take effect from 01 December 2016:

COUNTRY            CURRENCY          PRIMARY SERVICE FEE   SECONDARY SERVICE FEE             BIOMETRIC FEE

Aria awards: Kylie Minogue calls for same-sex marriage in Australia

The 48-year-old singer and actor Joshua Sasse, 28, announced their engagement earlier this year.

The couple subsequently vowed to postpone their nuptials until same-sex marriage becomes legal in Australia.

Dressed in "Say I Do Down Under" T-shirts at the Arias in Sydney, the pair urged the change to come next year.

"We're here to introduce a shining light in the Australian music industry," Minogue told the audience on Wednesday night.

"But we're also here to say thank you to everyone who has supported Josh's campaign for equality."

PNG designer launches fashion on international stage

Winner of the inaugural Stella Runway 2016 Designer of the Year Award, Genevieve Igara-Falevai, the designer and founder of Wantok Clothing, showcased her label’s unique on 21 October.

An accidental fashion designer, Genevieve passed on a career in economics to follow her passion to create beautiful garments with a Papua New Guinean twist.

Starting her label in 2015, Genevieve has been awarded Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Project Runway 2015 and 2016; Stella Runway 2016 Designer of the Year; and dresser for Miss Papua New Guinea 2015 and 2016.