March 3, 2025
Three Chinese warships circling Australia were off the WA coast, in line with Esperance on Sunday, as Anthony Albanese insists the ADF is keeping a close eye on their movements.
But the Prime Minister has refused to say whether reports that Papua New Guinea had a two-week heads-up about the Peoples Liberation Army-Navy movements were correct or passed on to Australia.
Defence said the three ships a frigate, a cruiser and a replenishment vessel were about 1055km south-east of Perth on Sunday morning on their way around Australia.
The ships have been heading west for the past week, after conducting surprise live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand.
The Chinese ships' movements came as 7NEWS filmed a Collins class submarine off Rottnest Island on Sunday, with members of the crew swimming nearby.
Mr Albanese originally said Australia had been given notice of the live firing in line with usual practice.
However, it emerged in Estimates hearings last week that Defence in fact found out from Airservices Australia, after it was alerted by a Virgin Australia pilot who had to divert their plane on hearing a broadcast from the Chinese ships.
PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko was reportedly briefed about the ships' movements by the Chinese ambassador in his country at least two weeks ahead of time.
Mr Albanese wouldn't comment on whether PNG had passed on the intelligence.
"Well, what we don't do at press conferences is relay what intelligence information the Australian Government receives," he said.
Shadow home affairs minister James Paterson said the Chinese had clearly sent warships to the region "to make a diplomatic point" and Australia would be unwise not to heed the message.
"It's absolutely remarkable that after a quote-unquote stabilised relationship between Australia and China our comprehensive strategic partner that they are giving weeks' heads up to the PNG Government of these exercises, but no notice at all to the Australian Government, despite the Prime Minister's claims to the contrary," Senator Paterson told ABC's Insiders on Sunday.
"We need to use all the tools available in our diplomatic arsenal to push back on this." Shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie said the overt signal of China's military strength should remind Australians we couldn't take anything for granted.
On Sunday, he and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton announced the Coalition would put aside at least $3 billion to buy another 28 F-35 fighter jets, restoring a planned fourth squadron the Government cancelled in its Budget last year.
"We are geographically isolated.
We have very vulnerable lines of trade and communication they need to be protected," Mr Hastie told Sky News.
"The only way you can do that is by investing in your defence force."
Mr Albanese, far left, said the Chinese task group had been monitored by Australian or New Zealand ships and surveillance aircraft throughout their journey. The frigate HMAS Stuart which is capable of air defence and surface and undersea strikes as well as surveillance is tracking the ships.
Speaking on 60 Minutes on Sunday, Mr Albanese said the Chinese flotilla's "presence there is consistent with international law".
