China has threatened to bring economic carnage upon Australia in response to big defence spending announced in Tuesday s federal budget.
The government outlined a huge boost for the defence force, more funding for spies and help for exporters to find new markets in a massive push back against an increasingly assertive Beijing.
In response, Chinese newspaper the Global Times - a mouthpiece for the Communist Party government - has warned that Beijing will block more Australian exports after already banning a range of goods including barley, wine, beef and coal.
In an article titled Canberra s defence spending means more economic carnage , the publication warned Australia s natural gas exports could be next in the firing line.
Australia will bolster its defence force, provide more funding for its spies and help exporters find new markets in a massive push back against China.
Canberra-Beijing relations have deteriorated since last year when Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an independent inquiry into the origins of coronavirus which was identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
China has blocked key Australian exports including coal, seafood, beef and barley - and has been blamed for a series of ongoing cyber attacks on Australian institutions.
Some analysts have warned there could be war in the Pacific region in the next five years if China tries to reunify Taiwan by reclaiming the self-governing island of 25 million people.
Department of Defence
The number of Australian small businesses in this year’s Australian Defence Sales Catalogue has surged, underlining the increasing strength of Australia’s world-class defence industry.
The fifth edition of the Australian Defence Sales Catalogue showcases some of Australia’s leading-edge products, technologies and services available for export, with small businesses represented from every state and territory.
A total of 214 Australian small businesses are featured in this year’s edition, a 25 per cent increase from the previous edition.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the increase highlighted the growth and breadth of Australia’s defence industry sector, despite the impacts of COVID-19.
Department of Defence
The Hon Bert van Manen MP Member for Forde
A Queensland-based bulk liquid storage manufacturer has signed a $30 million contract with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles to deliver fuel and water modules that will be fitted to Defence’s fleet of logistics trucks.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the contract with Loganholme-based company Holmwood Highgate would support ongoing jobs for the company’s 150 Queensland employees.
Minister Price said Holmwood Highgate had previously secured more than $108 million worth of work supporting Phase 3B of Defence’s Land 121 Program.
The new contract would support new modules for additional trucks being delivered under Land 121 Phase 5B.