Chinese firms purchase land near ports shortlisted for AUKUS submarine bases
The sites at Port Kembla and Newcastle were flagged by Defence in 2023 for future nuclear submarine facilities.
The Australian reveals Mr Yongxin is linked to China's Communist Party, raising national security concerns.
It's unclear if the Foreign Investment Review Board reviewed the deals.
The government has not commented on the purchases.
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Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Fight together': Britain warns on China, backs Australia
Healey spoke after being asked by The Telegraph what the UK was doing to help countries like Taiwan prepare for potential escalation from China, but he added that he was speaking in general terms and that the UK wanted to settle any disputes peacefully and through diplomacy. Australians are cautious about the nature of the nation's strategic challenge with China, with 28 per cent of voters saying in March 2023 that it and Russia pose threats that need to be confronted soon. The results, in the Resolve Political Monitor for this masthead, found that 52 per cent thought China and Russia were threats that could be managed carefully over time. Deterrent effect The Resolve Political Monitor found that a clear majority of Australians did not want to side with the US against China, when asked in the days after Donald Trump won the US presidential election last November. The respondents were asked if they believed Australia should avoid taking sides in any conflict between the US and China. The survey found that 57 per cent agreed, 16 per cent disagreed, and the remainder were unsure. The UK has made a significant show of force with its contribution to Talisman Sabre this year, sending 3000 personnel at a time when some in the Trump administration have questioned why it should send forces to the Indo-Pacific. The aircraft carrier was accompanied by an air-defence destroyer and a tanker. Lammy warned on the weekend that China had to be challenged on its conduct with the UK and other countries, as he blamed it for espionage, repression in Hong Kong and helping allies such as Russia, Iran and North Korea. The UK Foreign Secretary echoed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese by saying the goal was to work with China while disagreeing when necessary. 'We wanted a consistent position on China where we would co-operate what we can, but we would absolutely challenge where we must,' he said. Albanese has often said: 'We should co-operate where we can, disagree where we must.' Lammy named China's actions in recent days, when Hong Kong authorities offered cash to anyone who would help them arrest pro-democracy activists in other countries, as an example of 'transnational repression' that should stop. Loading 'We challenge China on their espionage in the UK; we are hugely concerned about the sanctioning of members of parliament. We have big issues with transnational repression,' he said in a question-and-answer session with Lowy Institute executive director Michael Fullilove. 'So we have very tough issues that I have raised continually with [Foreign Minister] Wang Yi and the Chinese.' At the same time, he said, he wanted to co-operate with China on climate change, world health and trade. Lammy said he had presented Chinese leaders with a list of their companies helping Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the war in Ukraine. 'I've been in Kyiv, I've seen the shells that have come from North Korea, killing Europeans,' he said during remarks to the Lowy Institute on Saturday.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
‘Fight together': Britain warns on China, backs Australia
Healey spoke after being asked by The Telegraph what the UK was doing to help countries like Taiwan prepare for potential escalation from China, but he added that he was speaking in general terms and that the UK wanted to settle any disputes peacefully and through diplomacy. Australians are cautious about the nature of the nation's strategic challenge with China, with 28 per cent of voters saying in March 2023 that it and Russia pose threats that need to be confronted soon. The results, in the Resolve Political Monitor for this masthead, found that 52 per cent thought China and Russia were threats that could be managed carefully over time. Deterrent effect The Resolve Political Monitor found that a clear majority of Australians did not want to side with the US against China, when asked in the days after Donald Trump won the US presidential election last November. The respondents were asked if they believed Australia should avoid taking sides in any conflict between the US and China. The survey found that 57 per cent agreed, 16 per cent disagreed, and the remainder were unsure. The UK has made a significant show of force with its contribution to Talisman Sabre this year, sending 3000 personnel at a time when some in the Trump administration have questioned why it should send forces to the Indo-Pacific. The aircraft carrier was accompanied by an air-defence destroyer and a tanker. Lammy warned on the weekend that China had to be challenged on its conduct with the UK and other countries, as he blamed it for espionage, repression in Hong Kong and helping allies such as Russia, Iran and North Korea. The UK Foreign Secretary echoed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese by saying the goal was to work with China while disagreeing when necessary. 'We wanted a consistent position on China where we would co-operate what we can, but we would absolutely challenge where we must,' he said. Albanese has often said: 'We should co-operate where we can, disagree where we must.' Lammy named China's actions in recent days, when Hong Kong authorities offered cash to anyone who would help them arrest pro-democracy activists in other countries, as an example of 'transnational repression' that should stop. Loading 'We challenge China on their espionage in the UK; we are hugely concerned about the sanctioning of members of parliament. We have big issues with transnational repression,' he said in a question-and-answer session with Lowy Institute executive director Michael Fullilove. 'So we have very tough issues that I have raised continually with [Foreign Minister] Wang Yi and the Chinese.' At the same time, he said, he wanted to co-operate with China on climate change, world health and trade. Lammy said he had presented Chinese leaders with a list of their companies helping Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the war in Ukraine. 'I've been in Kyiv, I've seen the shells that have come from North Korea, killing Europeans,' he said during remarks to the Lowy Institute on Saturday.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Aussies missing out on payoff from research investment
Australia is missing out on a $7 billion per year economic boon because it has failed to keep pace in the international research and development stakes, according to a new report. Tax cuts and red tape have dominated discussions ahead of Treasurer Jim Chalmers's economic roundtable. But getting investment flowing back into technological innovation is critical to fixing productivity growth, said the Business Council of Australia, along with home-grown tech companies Cochlear and Atlassian, as they released a report by consulting firm Mandala on Monday. Just by fixing research and development (R&D) policies and without increasing the burden on the budget, an extra 0.1 per cent could be added to productivity growth each year, they claimed. "Empowering businesses to make R&D investments is critical to making our economy more productive and innovative, and for delivering greater prosperity for all Australians," said the organisation's chief executive Bran Black. But Australia has slid down the international rankings in the past decade, with large businesses' R&D investment falling 24 per cent in that time. The nation's total R&D expenditure has fallen to 1.7 per cent of GDP, compared to the average of 2.6 per cent across peer economies. The report highlights six tweaks that could once again make Australia a world leader in innovation and deliver $5 of value for every $1 spent by the government. They include simplifying the tax incentive premium for R&D to a flat rate of 18.5 per cent, removing the existing tax incentive cap of $150 million, taxing profits from Australian innovations at a concessional 10 per cent rate, and incentivising collaboration between industry and research institutions. The report also called for streamlined reporting and compliance requirements to access the R&D tax incentive, and simplifying R&D grants for businesses by consolidating the various existing grants into fewer nationally significant programs. Cochlear chief executive Dig Howitt said clear, well-funded strategies would capture the full value of local innovation and attract high-value global companies. "Given that R&D and intellectual property are mobile, there are constant efforts by other nations to attract elements of Australian business's value chain - particularly our innovation, IP development and manufacturing - offshore," he said. Atlassian chief of staff Amy Glancey said Australia has always been ideas rich but has fallen short in commercialising innovations and selling them to the world. Australia is missing out on a $7 billion per year economic boon because it has failed to keep pace in the international research and development stakes, according to a new report. Tax cuts and red tape have dominated discussions ahead of Treasurer Jim Chalmers's economic roundtable. But getting investment flowing back into technological innovation is critical to fixing productivity growth, said the Business Council of Australia, along with home-grown tech companies Cochlear and Atlassian, as they released a report by consulting firm Mandala on Monday. Just by fixing research and development (R&D) policies and without increasing the burden on the budget, an extra 0.1 per cent could be added to productivity growth each year, they claimed. "Empowering businesses to make R&D investments is critical to making our economy more productive and innovative, and for delivering greater prosperity for all Australians," said the organisation's chief executive Bran Black. But Australia has slid down the international rankings in the past decade, with large businesses' R&D investment falling 24 per cent in that time. The nation's total R&D expenditure has fallen to 1.7 per cent of GDP, compared to the average of 2.6 per cent across peer economies. The report highlights six tweaks that could once again make Australia a world leader in innovation and deliver $5 of value for every $1 spent by the government. They include simplifying the tax incentive premium for R&D to a flat rate of 18.5 per cent, removing the existing tax incentive cap of $150 million, taxing profits from Australian innovations at a concessional 10 per cent rate, and incentivising collaboration between industry and research institutions. The report also called for streamlined reporting and compliance requirements to access the R&D tax incentive, and simplifying R&D grants for businesses by consolidating the various existing grants into fewer nationally significant programs. Cochlear chief executive Dig Howitt said clear, well-funded strategies would capture the full value of local innovation and attract high-value global companies. "Given that R&D and intellectual property are mobile, there are constant efforts by other nations to attract elements of Australian business's value chain - particularly our innovation, IP development and manufacturing - offshore," he said. Atlassian chief of staff Amy Glancey said Australia has always been ideas rich but has fallen short in commercialising innovations and selling them to the world. Australia is missing out on a $7 billion per year economic boon because it has failed to keep pace in the international research and development stakes, according to a new report. Tax cuts and red tape have dominated discussions ahead of Treasurer Jim Chalmers's economic roundtable. But getting investment flowing back into technological innovation is critical to fixing productivity growth, said the Business Council of Australia, along with home-grown tech companies Cochlear and Atlassian, as they released a report by consulting firm Mandala on Monday. Just by fixing research and development (R&D) policies and without increasing the burden on the budget, an extra 0.1 per cent could be added to productivity growth each year, they claimed. "Empowering businesses to make R&D investments is critical to making our economy more productive and innovative, and for delivering greater prosperity for all Australians," said the organisation's chief executive Bran Black. But Australia has slid down the international rankings in the past decade, with large businesses' R&D investment falling 24 per cent in that time. The nation's total R&D expenditure has fallen to 1.7 per cent of GDP, compared to the average of 2.6 per cent across peer economies. The report highlights six tweaks that could once again make Australia a world leader in innovation and deliver $5 of value for every $1 spent by the government. They include simplifying the tax incentive premium for R&D to a flat rate of 18.5 per cent, removing the existing tax incentive cap of $150 million, taxing profits from Australian innovations at a concessional 10 per cent rate, and incentivising collaboration between industry and research institutions. The report also called for streamlined reporting and compliance requirements to access the R&D tax incentive, and simplifying R&D grants for businesses by consolidating the various existing grants into fewer nationally significant programs. Cochlear chief executive Dig Howitt said clear, well-funded strategies would capture the full value of local innovation and attract high-value global companies. "Given that R&D and intellectual property are mobile, there are constant efforts by other nations to attract elements of Australian business's value chain - particularly our innovation, IP development and manufacturing - offshore," he said. Atlassian chief of staff Amy Glancey said Australia has always been ideas rich but has fallen short in commercialising innovations and selling them to the world. Australia is missing out on a $7 billion per year economic boon because it has failed to keep pace in the international research and development stakes, according to a new report. Tax cuts and red tape have dominated discussions ahead of Treasurer Jim Chalmers's economic roundtable. But getting investment flowing back into technological innovation is critical to fixing productivity growth, said the Business Council of Australia, along with home-grown tech companies Cochlear and Atlassian, as they released a report by consulting firm Mandala on Monday. Just by fixing research and development (R&D) policies and without increasing the burden on the budget, an extra 0.1 per cent could be added to productivity growth each year, they claimed. "Empowering businesses to make R&D investments is critical to making our economy more productive and innovative, and for delivering greater prosperity for all Australians," said the organisation's chief executive Bran Black. But Australia has slid down the international rankings in the past decade, with large businesses' R&D investment falling 24 per cent in that time. The nation's total R&D expenditure has fallen to 1.7 per cent of GDP, compared to the average of 2.6 per cent across peer economies. The report highlights six tweaks that could once again make Australia a world leader in innovation and deliver $5 of value for every $1 spent by the government. They include simplifying the tax incentive premium for R&D to a flat rate of 18.5 per cent, removing the existing tax incentive cap of $150 million, taxing profits from Australian innovations at a concessional 10 per cent rate, and incentivising collaboration between industry and research institutions. The report also called for streamlined reporting and compliance requirements to access the R&D tax incentive, and simplifying R&D grants for businesses by consolidating the various existing grants into fewer nationally significant programs. Cochlear chief executive Dig Howitt said clear, well-funded strategies would capture the full value of local innovation and attract high-value global companies. "Given that R&D and intellectual property are mobile, there are constant efforts by other nations to attract elements of Australian business's value chain - particularly our innovation, IP development and manufacturing - offshore," he said. Atlassian chief of staff Amy Glancey said Australia has always been ideas rich but has fallen short in commercialising innovations and selling them to the world.
