Stephen Dziedzic
@stephendziedzic
Followers
52K
Following
18K
Media
4K
Statuses
24K
Foreign Affairs (Asia Pacific) reporter, ABC. Canberra-based. Personal account. Pron: JED-jets. https://t.co/UasBAiHfZh
Canberra
Joined May 2009
Being gently berated for never writing a story headlined “patient and competent Australian diplomacy yields handsome dividends for the nation over a lengthy period of time”
34
32
376
Feels slightly absurd to set an out of office on this website but: I'm going on leave. Won't be back until late January. It's going to be glorious. It has been a totally insane year. Thanks to all those who have engaged in good humour and good faith. Have a wonderful Christmas.
29
7
294
Japanese ambassador to Australia responds to PRC ambassador's attack.
As Beijing continues military threats and political warfare against Taiwan, PRC Ambassador Xiao Qian warns Australia about "appeasement" of Japan, following PM Takaichi's comments that a PRC war against the Taiwanese would threaten Japan's security.
0
5
11
Haven't had time to dig into this yet with everything else happening but: PNG says Australia has agreed to fully fund three new submarine cables in PNG under the Pukpuk Treaty (including a cable to ABG). PNG says investment is worth $120 million USD
1
21
51
holy gosh
Read how a South African fugitive became a major player in the Chinese mafia targeting Americans -- and how he came to outrank a minister in Thailand -- the most complete case of state capture in modern history. 4/4
1
2
29
Rather neatly expressed. From someone who follows these things closely:
Significant - after protracted deliberations the Treasurer Jim Chalmers has given the green light to the bid by South Korean defence conglomerate Hanwha to increase its stake in Australian shipbuilder Austal
2
12
42
Interesting question now: what will Tokyo make of this? There's quite a bit of reporting suggesting Japan was - at the very least- very uneasy about this prospect. But other sources are insisting Australia's reassurances over protecting sensitive info have calmed nerves in Tokyo
Significant - after protracted deliberations the Treasurer Jim Chalmers has given the green light to the bid by South Korean defence conglomerate Hanwha to increase its stake in Australian shipbuilder Austal
0
3
19
Significant - after protracted deliberations the Treasurer Jim Chalmers has given the green light to the bid by South Korean defence conglomerate Hanwha to increase its stake in Australian shipbuilder Austal
2
11
34
Three Australian federal parliamentarians - Labor MP Sarah Witty, crossbench MP Kate Chaney and Greens Senator Barbara Pocock - meet the Dalai Lama in India. Parliamentary delegations from NZ, Fiji, Czech Republic, France and Chile also present.
9
4
47
Australia shifting its messaging on China-Japan tensions. Marles said on weekend Aus "deeply concerned" by PLA conduct near Okinawa. Now the FM publicly flags call with Japan's Ambassador. No reference to PRC in her post, but Suzuki says she expressed "solidarity" with Japan
12
18
57
From yesterday: Aust officials brief Pacific, regional countries on PLA-N task group. ADF still tracking flotilla. It doesn't appear to have headed towards Aus mainland (at least not yet). Analysts say it's likely pushing east into the Pacific instead https://t.co/5xitZVrlJo
abc.net.au
Australian Defence officials have been briefing Pacific nations about the formidable capabilities and weaponry of a Chinese naval flotilla in the region, which the ADF is continuing to monitor...
7
16
40
Exclusive: NACC chief Paul Brereton formally disclosed his "informal and voluntary" advice to the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) after the ABC revealed those links… and a month after submitting his declaration of interests.
abc.net.au
National Anti-Corruption Commission chief Paul Brereton has formally disclosed his consulting work for the Defence watchdog after the ABC revealed the links.
12
62
124
should add (and acknowledge) that Wong and Marles held an open presser after the main event, and fielded plenty of questions. Marles (unsurprisingly) didn't want to point fingers as to which side didn't want the joint presser, but it's pretty clear
1
3
13
Not the main story of course but worth putting on the record: for the first time (at least in recent history) there was no AUSMIN joint press conference. Every AUSMIN under Biden and Trump 1.0 featured a presser where both US and Aus journalists could ask questions. Not this time
Australia and the United States’ work together is critical to the peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific we want. Today, Deputy Prime Minister Marles and I joined Secretary Rubio and Secretary Hegseth for AUSMIN.
12
15
69
Lots of AUKUS focus from AUSMIN (and fair enough) but also worth noting - both sides still pushing ahead on force posture too. Additional US bomber rotations, infrastructure upgrades continuing, Ospreys being pre-positioned
3
8
30
A bit of clarity on this: an Aust govt spokesperson says “we are finalising details of new prioritised low-cost visas for PNG Chiefs fans, players, officials and media that will be available in time for the Chiefs’ entry into the NRL in 2028”
Curious. PNG PM James Marape says the Australian government will tomorrow announce a new "special category of visa" - presumably for PNG citizens - for "this NRL season" (ie 2026? Which is two years ahead of the PNG Chiefs entering the comp in 2028)
0
5
21
Curious. PNG PM James Marape says the Australian government will tomorrow announce a new "special category of visa" - presumably for PNG citizens - for "this NRL season" (ie 2026? Which is two years ahead of the PNG Chiefs entering the comp in 2028)
2
3
23
Australia + Japan unveil new Framework for Strategic Defence Coordination. Not exactly a scintillating headline but could be quite significant- brings intelligence chiefs + others into meetings, with closer coordination across the board, including on cyber/space/intel/industry
From alignment to integration. Upgraded 🇦🇺🇯🇵Defence Ministers Meeting.
7
12
52
For those asking: screenshot above is from the Indonesian Embassy's submission to a parliamentary inquiry into building Asia capability in Australia chaired by @TimWattsMP which is looking at the precipitous decline in Asia language education/training (among other things) in Aus
0
1
23
I don't have full story but on the face of it: closing the Indonesian language program at the Australian Defence Force Academy @ComdtADFA just as we're on the cusp of signing a "historic" security treaty with Jakarta seems ... a deeply bewildering decision
5
9
59
I just read the Trump administration's National Security Strategy. Five initial thoughts: 1) Where's the geographic focus? A little all over the place... - Western Hem is discussed first - Europe gets the most mentions - Asia gets the most pages, but nearly all about China
18
144
441