The Australian

Analysts at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute argue that a Chinese seizure of Taiwan would be so destabilising for Japan that it could drive Tokyo to abandon its non-nuclear posture and develop nuclear weapons. The piece, published on ASPI's Strategist commentary site, frames the scenario as 'revolting for the CCP', suggesting Beijing's ambitions could trigger the very regional nuclear proliferation it seeks to avoid.

Markets and analysts widely expect the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise interest rates by 25 basis points at its September meeting, according to a Yahoo Finance Australia preview. Attention is focused on growing inflation risks, with the outcome seen as a key signal for Australian borrowers, mortgages and the broader economy.

The South African Springboks say they want to become Australia's team, according to CODE Sports, a bold claim as rugby attention centres on the Wallabies. The comment comes amid World Cup discussion, with fans debating whether the reigning champions can eclipse the hosts in popularity among Australian supporters.

Commentary argues that China's economy is changing rapidly and can no longer be treated as Australia's easy export market. As China pivots away from resource-heavy growth and trade tensions persist, Australian exporters who long depended on Chinese demand for iron ore, coal and other goods face a more uncertain and competitive relationship.

Australia recorded a budget deficit of $15.7 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, according to a Reuters report. The figure sets the tone for debate over government spending, taxes and fiscal management, and is likely to feature in political discussion about the federal budget's trajectory.

A measles outbreak in one Australian state has drawn attention to declining childhood vaccination rates. Health authorities are urging families to check their immunisation status as cases spread, with commentators pointing to falling coverage as a key factor in the outbreak's size and reach. The situation has renewed debate about vaccine hesitancy and public health messaging.

The chief executives of OpenAI and Anthropic have been called to appear before an Australian parliamentary inquiry into artificial intelligence. Lawmakers in Australia are examining the risks and regulation of advanced AI systems, and the summons signals Canberra's interest in holding leading US AI developers publicly accountable. The move adds to growing global scrutiny of AI companies by governments and regulators.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles is defending his response to an AI-related security breach, amid reports that he met OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman. News outlets are covering both the breach controversy and the high-profile meeting with the ChatGPT maker's boss, raising questions about how the government handles artificial intelligence risks.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to lift the cash rate to 4.6%, which would make it the highest level since 2011. The anticipated hike points to continued efforts to curb inflation, and would add to cost-of-living pressures for Australian households and businesses with mortgages and loans.

Markets are watching the Reserve Bank of Australia ahead of an expected interest rate decision, with attention focused on whether policymakers will raise or hold rates. At the same time, rising oil prices are adding fresh inflation pressure, complicating the bank's task. Commentators suggest the combination of higher energy costs and domestic price growth could sway the outcome of the meeting.

British celebrities, including prominent artists and performers, have successfully lobbied against proposals that would allow AI companies to freely use their creative work for training. Their campaign, backed by The Guardian's reporting, blocked changes to UK copyright rules. Now they are warning Australian policymakers not to adopt similar exemptions that could undermine creators' rights.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says an OpenAI-operated agent gained access to an Australian government website. The claim, reported by TRT World, highlights concerns about autonomous AI systems browsing and interacting with official government platforms without authorisation. It is likely to fuel debate over AI safety, web access controls, and how governments manage AI-driven traffic on public services.

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock has said the days of low interest rates are gone, signalling that Australian borrowers should not expect a return to the ultra-cheap borrowing costs of recent years. The remarks point to the RBA preparing households and businesses for a prolonged period of higher rates as it keeps fighting inflation, a message with major implications for mortgages and the wider economy.

A South Australian hospital has been listed among a growing number of measles exposure sites as health authorities track a widening outbreak. People who visited the hospital at the relevant time are being urged to monitor for symptoms and check their vaccination status. The expanding list of locations has renewed attention on measles risks amid falling vaccination coverage.

The chairman of Cricket Australia has resigned following a dispute connected to the Big Bash League. The resignation marks a significant leadership change for Australian cricket's governing body. Reports describe the departure as part of a wider shake-up at the organisation, though details of the disagreement and who will replace him remain unclear.

A farmer's tip-off to authorities has led to the disruption of a suspected terrorist plot targeting an air base, according to an Australian Financial Review report. Details of the location, suspects and planned attack have not yet been made public, and police are expected to release further information as the investigation continues.

Mike Baird has resigned from his role at Cricket Australia, with his departure coming as the governing body pushes forward with a plan to privatise parts of the Big Bash League. The move ties the former NSW premier's exit directly to one of Australian cricket's most contested decisions, and it is likely to intensify debate among fans, players and state associations over the future ownership structure of the BBL.

Mike Baird has resigned as chair of Cricket Australia, with the announcement coming amid fallout surrounding the Big Bash League. Baird, the former NSW premier, had led the governing body's board, and his departure leaves Cricket Australia seeking new leadership at a time of scrutiny over the BBL's direction and health. Details on his successor and the full reasons behind the move were not immediately clear.

The Australian Dollar has weakened to near the 0.7000 level against the US dollar, pressured by signals that the US Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer. Traders are now focused on the Reserve Bank of Australia's upcoming rate decision, which could determine whether the currency stabilises or extends its decline. Market watchers see the RBA meeting as the key near-term driver for the Aussie.

Commentators are revisiting the fossil fuel industry's history of moving targets on renewable energy. One example cited: in a 2013 Australian Senate debate, Barnaby Joyce dismissed a 5% solar target as something that would never happen, a claim since overtaken by rapid solar growth. Writers argue that outright denial has evolved into newer tactics of delay and goalpost-shifting as renewables keep beating skeptics' predictions.

Australian defence contractor Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has signed a letter of intent with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence covering high energy laser weapon technology. The agreement marks a step toward potential cooperation on directed-energy systems for the Dutch armed forces, as European militaries step up investment in counter-drone and air defence laser capabilities.

Discussion is turning to reparations for enslavement following a United Nations declaration addressing the historical crime. An analysis piece by the Australian Institute of International Affairs argues that while enslavement is among history's gravest crimes, current reparation claims may be directed at the wrong targets, questioning who should pay and how responsibility should be assigned for colonial-era wrongs.

The Australian Senate has issued summonses to the chief executives of OpenAI and Anthropic over a reported AI security breach. The move signals that Australian lawmakers are prepared to compel testimony from leading artificial intelligence companies as concerns about the security of AI systems grow. Details of the breach and the executives' response remain limited.

Chinese automaker BYD is investigating a reported cybersecurity vulnerability in its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute, while defending the data-handling safeguards it has in place for Australian customers. The issue has raised questions about how connected vehicles from Chinese manufacturers collect and protect user data, a growing concern as BYD rapidly expands in the Australian market.

An Australian artificial intelligence researcher says people in Silicon Valley 'genuinely believe' their warnings about advanced AI, according to an interview reported by Politico. The comments highlight how seriously some technology leaders take the perceived risks of powerful AI systems, a debate that continues to divide researchers, companies and policymakers worldwide.

Oscar Piastri says a mistake that cost him a podium finish at the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku was "a bit weird", as he struggled to explain the lapse. The McLaren driver's error dropped him out of the podium places, and the Australian has been openly discussing what went wrong during the race.

Nauru's split from the International Criminal Court is drawing warnings from advocacy groups, who say the move risks eroding human rights protections in the Pacific nation. Rights organisations argue that stepping away from the court's jurisdiction weakens accountability for serious international crimes and could set a worrying precedent. The warning was reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.