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The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
Rudd pushes back on US claim that Australia needs to ‘step up' on defence
Washington: Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has pushed back against claims Canberra needs to step up its contribution to the collective deterrence of China in the Indo-Pacific, telling a security conference that Australia had already done the things now being asked of it by the Trump administration. Rudd said Australia led the way in identifying strategic concerns about the rise of China and its military force, citing the 2009 defence white paper he released as prime minister, and had made corresponding changes to its defence strategy. 'Without saying 'we told you so', we did,' Rudd said when asked whether Australia needed to increase defence spending more urgently in response to recent Chinese military exercises in the region. 'If you look at the trajectory of what our government has been doing – reallocation of resources to the Royal Australian Navy, the movement now in terms of nuclear-powered submarines - that consciousness [about China] has been alive and well in our part of the world.' Rudd noted the high level of integration between the two nations' navies. 'We are cheek by jowl with the United States in the Indo-Pacific. We know what new capabilities are required. We're investing in those capabilities. So we're pretty bullish about our contribution to collective deterrence going forward,' he said. The former Labor prime minister was addressing the Aspen Security Forum on Saturday (AEST) at a critical moment in Indo-Pacific relations as the US pushes regional allies to lift defence spending and make clearer commitments about what they would do in a conflict involving the US and China over Taiwan or other issues. Specifically, the Pentagon is seeking undertakings about how its Virginia-class submarines would be used once they are sold to Australia under the AUKUS agreement, and is also calling for the Albanese government to lift defence spending by about $40 billion a year, to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Confirming a recent news report that said the Pentagon had asked Australia and Japan to clarify what they would do in a conflict with China, the US official leading the AUKUS review, defence undersecretary Elbridge Colby, said the US was urging allies to 'step up their defence spending and other efforts related to our collective defence'.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rudd pushes back on US claim that Australia needs to ‘step up' on defence
Washington: Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has pushed back against claims Canberra needs to step up its contribution to the collective deterrence of China in the Indo-Pacific, telling a security conference that Australia had already done the things now being asked of it by the Trump administration. Rudd said Australia led the way in identifying strategic concerns about the rise of China and its military force, citing the 2009 defence white paper he released as prime minister, and had made corresponding changes to its defence strategy. 'Without saying 'we told you so', we did,' Rudd said when asked whether Australia needed to increase defence spending more urgently in response to recent Chinese military exercises in the region. 'If you look at the trajectory of what our government has been doing – reallocation of resources to the Royal Australian Navy, the movement now in terms of nuclear-powered submarines - that consciousness [about China] has been alive and well in our part of the world.' Rudd noted the high level of integration between the two nations' navies. 'We are cheek by jowl with the United States in the Indo-Pacific. We know what new capabilities are required. We're investing in those capabilities. So we're pretty bullish about our contribution to collective deterrence going forward,' he said. The former Labor prime minister was addressing the Aspen Security Forum on Saturday (AEST) at a critical moment in Indo-Pacific relations as the US pushes regional allies to lift defence spending and make clearer commitments about what they would do in a conflict involving the US and China over Taiwan or other issues. Specifically, the Pentagon is seeking undertakings about how its Virginia-class submarines would be used once they are sold to Australia under the AUKUS agreement, and is also calling for the Albanese government to lift defence spending by about $40 billion a year, to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Confirming a recent news report that said the Pentagon had asked Australia and Japan to clarify what they would do in a conflict with China, the US official leading the AUKUS review, defence undersecretary Elbridge Colby, said the US was urging allies to 'step up their defence spending and other efforts related to our collective defence'.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
How to get the 'best bang' for your Qantas points before their value plummets
Seats up the pointy end of a Qantas A-380. Picture: Qantas By Sarah Falson Updated July 17, 2025, first published July 16, 2025 Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area With this deadline looming, what should you do with your unused points? Hoard them? Splurge? For the uninitiated, the number of points required to book a Classic Reward seat or make a Classic Upgrade request will increase across the domestic and international network (and partner airlines) from August 5. For example, on Qantas-operated flights, a Sydney to Melbourne business class flight will go from 18,400 points plus $55 to 19,300 points plus $76, and a Sydney to London economy flight will go from 55,200 points plus $263 to 63,500 points plus $263. This marks the first increase to Classic Reward seat pricing in six years, so it's a big change for members to get used to. Should you offload your points? The Well Connected Traveller managing director, Mark Trim, said you might be tempted to offload your points with a bit of retail therapy, but that would be a "mistake". He explained using the online frequent flyer shop to purchase technology and other travel items is a "terrible 'burn rate' for your points". Instead, saving up your frequent flyer points for "coveted premium cabins" is the most valuable use of the points. "Using them for economy reward seats is okay, but the comparative value in a premium cabin is far greater compared to purchasing premium cabin seats," Mr Trim said. But if you do want to use your points for short domestic flights, this is "generally a safe and good-value option with plenty of availability," according to Mr Trim. Don't forget to look at carrier charges when looking at reward seat availability, and also look for "any other fees and surcharges when redeeming points as they can be substantial", Mr Trim warned. "Most importantly, don't neglect your points. Points can open up a world of travel, so rather than focusing on how to use your points for 'that trip', check what other premium travel doors those points can be used for," he said. And a final piece of advice: "To use your points balance, it's best to either book as far in advance as possible, or potentially extremely last-minute. "We're now seeing some airlines dropping in points seats on just a few days' notice, or sometimes 1-4 weeks left when they may have a harder time trying to sell remaining inventory on paid airfares. Other than that, thinking in advance and being flexible with your route and destination is key." Firm up your travel plans Point Hacks editor-in-chief, Daniel Sciberras, said if you have confirmed plans for travel, then make sure you book your award flights before August 5 to take advantage of the cheaper pricing. "However, if your plans are not confirmed, you are likely better off holding off booking until your plans are confirmed, even if this means booking at the higher rates after 5 August," he told ACM (the publisher of this masthead). The interior of a Qantas A-380. Picture: Qantas "This is because there is a 5-6k points fee per person to change or cancel a reward seat booking, so you'd only gain from doing a 'best guess' booking before 5 August if you're sure that your confirmed dates will be known before 5 August. "But even if this is the case, there is no guarantee that there would be reward seats available on your new confirmed dates. If this is the case, you'll be up for both a change fee and potential booking after 5 August at the higher prices when reward seats do become available." If you do choose to use your points before August 5, booking reward seats for long-haul premium cabin flights are "always going to drive great bang for your point mathematically," Mr Sciberras said. Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
