Overview

• Foreign Minister Penny Wong accused Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of 'beating the drums of war' over his criticism of the government’s response to Chinese naval exercises near Australia.
• Chinese warships conducted drills in international waters near Tasmania, with reports suggesting potential live-fire activities, though Australian officials are still verifying these claims.
• The Australian military only became aware of the exercises shortly after they began, raising concerns about China's lack of prior notification.
• Opposition figures, including Dutton and Andrew Hastie, described the drills as 'provocative' and 'reckless,' accusing Beijing of psychological warfare and testing US allies.
• Wong defended the government's handling of the situation, emphasizing a calm and consistent approach while engaging diplomatically with China to address concerns.