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

live Federal politics 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. Submit a comment or question Live updates Wed 8 Jul 2026 at 7:12am Conroy criticises China for helping Russia in war against Ukraine 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 Good morning 👋 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! Loading