The two-step “green card” system will require those who succeed at the first stage to secure a job offer in Australia and pass tests to check their health,character and basic English skills.
About 70 world leaders are expected to address world climate talks over the coming days to assess the successes and failures of the Glasgow Pact.
Spurred on by the war in Ukraine,the federal government wants to develop a sovereign missile manufacturing industry in Australia.
The funding is part of Australia’s overall aid package aimed in part at countering China’s growing influence in the Pacific.
Pat Conroy says Australia is open to collaborating with China on Pacific infrastructure but warned Beijing must lift the quality of its projects and hire more local workers.
Australia is set to back Vanuatu’s Pacific Islands Forum push to send climate change inaction to the International Court of Justice,while Kiribati pulled out of the meeting.
The former foreign minister and her property developer partner have gone their separate ways.