Live: PM prepares to host leaders of three Pacific nations in Brisbane

The prime minister will host the leaders of PNG, Tonga and Samoa in Brisbane today for regional security talks after signing of the Ocean of Peace Alliance with Fiji.

Follow all the updates in our live blog.

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Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 7:28am

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 7:28am

Liberal frontbencher calls for more spending on air, missile defence systems

By Joshua Boscaini

James Paterson says Australia needs adequate integrated air and missile defence systems to intercept missiles on track for Australia.

China test-fired a nuclear-capable long-range missile on Monday, which flew over the Exclusive Economic Zones of multiple Pacific nations and landed in the Pacific Ocean near Tuvalu and Nauru.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labelled the test destabilising and provocative, and other Pacific leaders have criticised the move.

Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, Paterson says Australia would have to rely on its Hobart-class destroyers to intercept a missile on track for the country.

"We haven't been spending enough and not moving fast enough on air and missile defence and this is another reminder we are living in an age of missiles and drones," he said.

Key Event

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 7:25am

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 7:25am

Federal government says it's aware of Telstra outages

By Joshua Boscaini

In developing news this morning, Telstra customers across the country are reporting the provider's mobile network has crashed.

A federal government spokesperson says it has been advised by Telstra that there is an outage affecting some mobile calls and connections.

"We understand Telstra is working on resolving the issue," the spokesperson says.

"Like all telcos, Telstra must notify customers and emergency services of any major outage.

"Australian phones are also required to fall back to other networks for triple-zero access."

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 7:12am

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 7:12am

Conroy criticises China for helping Russia in war against Ukraine

By Stephen Dziedzic

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has taken aim at China for testing a long-range missile this week, and says NATO is right to label Beijing a "systemic challenge".

Conroy is representing Australia at the gathering of NATO defence ministers in Turkiye.

He's laid out the financial contribution Australia has made to helping Ukraine defend itself, and sharply criticised China for backing Russia.

"Australia remains committed to supporting Ukraine's defence against Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion," he said.

"And we condemn China's willingness to support Russia."

He's also talked up the network of defence treaties and strategic pacts which Australia is building in the Pacific, including the Pukpuk Treaty with PNG and the Oceans of Peace alliance with Fiji.

"Our challenges today require collective solutions, and alliances and partnerships are irreplaceable force multiplier," he said.

"It has never been more important that we work together to build reassurance, and contribute to deterrence."

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:59am

Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 6:59am

Good morning 👋

By Joshua Boscaini

Hello and welcome to our federal politics live blog! It's great to have you join us here early this Wednesday morning.

I'm Josh Boscaini joining you live from Parliament House in Canberra, here and ready to bring you all of today's federal politics news.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has touched down in Australia following a trip to Fiji and Solomon Islands.

He'll be hosting the leaders of PNG, Samoa and Tonga in Brisbane for ongoing regional security talks and attend the State or Origin with them.

Let's get into the day and see what happens!