Latest Scott Morrison News

In this image taken from video, former employee at the British consulate in Hong Kong Simon Cheng speaks during an interview Thursday, July 3, 2020, in London. Cheng said Thursday he believed his is the first such successful U.K. asylum case from Hong Kong. He told The Associated Press that he wanted other democracy activists from the semi-autonomous Chinese city to be encouraged by his successful asylum application and seek protection in the U.K. as Beijing clamps down on the city's protest movement. (AP Photo)

UK grants asylum to ex-staffer at its Hong Kong consulate

Jul. 3, 2020 2:22 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) — A former employee at the British consulate in Hong Kong has been granted political asylum in what he believes is the first successful U.K. asylum case from the former British colony. Simon Cheng, who alleges that he was detained and tortured in China last year, told The Associated Press that...

Police detained a protester during a march marking the anniversary of the Hong Kong handover from Britain to China, Wednesday, July. 1, 2020, in Hong Kong. Hong Kong marked the 23rd anniversary of its handover to China in 1997 just one day after China enacted a national security law that cracks down on protests in the territory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Australia may offer safe haven to Hong Kong residents

Jul. 2, 2020 6:41 PM EDT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Thursday his government was considering an offer of safe haven to Hong Kong residents threatened by China’s move to impose a tough national security law on the semi-autonomous territory. Morrison said Cabinet would soon...

Stickers with messages of the pro-democracy movement are left by protesters on a street in Hong Kong, Thursday, July 2, 2020. Hong Kong police have made the first arrests under a new national security law imposed by mainland China, as thousands of people defied tear gas and pepper pellets to protest against it. Police say they arrested 10 people under the law, including at least one who was carrying a Hong Kong independence flag. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

China, pro-Beijing activists condemn 'meddling' in Hong Kong

Jul. 2, 2020 12:50 PM EDT

HONG KONG (AP) — China's government and pro-Beijing activists in Hong Kong condemned what they called foreign meddling in the territory's affairs on Thursday, as countries moved to offer Hong Kongers refuge and impose sanctions on China over a new security law. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao...

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during the launch of the 2020 Defence Strategic Update in Canberra, Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Morrison is announcing 270 billion Australian dollars ($190 billion) in additional defense spending over the next decade which will include long-range missiles and warned that the post-pandemic world will become more dangerous.(Lukas Coch/AAP Image via AP)

Australia plans $190 billion defense boost over decade

Jun. 30, 2020 11:10 PM EDT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s prime minister on Wednesday announced 270 billion Australian dollars ($190 billion) in additional defense spending over the next decade, which will include long-range missiles and other capabilities to hold enemies further from its shores. Prime Minister Scott...

New South Wales state opposition lawmaker Shaoquett Moselmane arrives at his home in Sydney, Australia June 26, 2020. Moselmane said on Monday, June 29 he was not a suspect in a police investigation into unnamed people advancing China’s goals in Australia, days after his home and office were searched by police. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image via AP)

Australian lawmaker says he isn't a suspect in China probe

Jun. 29, 2020 6:58 AM EDT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — An Australian state lawmaker said Monday that he was not a suspect in a police investigation into unnamed people advancing China’s goals in Australia, days after his home and office were searched by police. Shaoquett Moselmane, a member of the opposition Labor Party from...

A federal officer enters the home of New South Wales state lawmaker Shaoquett Moselmane in Sydney Friday, June 26, 2020. Moselmane was suspended from his party Friday and his home was searched in an investigation of alleged influence by China. Police and intelligence officers searched his Sydney home and also had a warrant for his parliamentary offices, said state Labor leader Jodi McKay. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image via AP)

Australian lawmaker investigated in China influence probe

Jun. 26, 2020 3:00 AM EDT

SYDNEY (AP) — An Australian state lawmaker was suspended from his party Friday and his home was searched in an investigation of alleged influence by China. Police and intelligence officers searched the Sydney home of New South Wales state lawmaker Shaoquett Moselmane and also had a warrant for his...

The Sydney Opera House is illuminated in support of Australia and New Zealand's joint bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, in Sydney, Thursday, June 25, 2020. Australia and New Zealand will co-host the Women's World Cup in 2023, with the following edition possibly set to take place just two years later. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image via AP)

Women's World Cup heads to a welcome Down Under in 2023

Jun. 26, 2020 2:52 AM EDT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Women's World Cup is heading to Australia and New Zealand in 2023 after a concentrated effort by the joint bidders to secure the global soccer event in the southern hemisphere for the first time. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the mother of a 2-year-old...

Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce speaks during a press conference in Sydney, Thursday, June 25, 2020. Qantas, Australia's largest airline, says it plans to cut at least 6,000 jobs and keep 15,000 more workers on extended furloughs as it tries to survive the coronavirus pandemic. Joyce announced a plan to reduce costs by billions of dollars and raise fresh capital. The plan includes grounding 100 planes for a year or more and immediately retiring its six remaining Boeing 747 planes. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image via AP)

Australia's Qantas airline to cut 6,000 jobs as virus hits

Jun. 24, 2020 11:05 PM EDT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Qantas plans to cut at least 6,000 jobs and keep 15,000 more workers on extended furloughs as Australia's largest airline tries to survive the coronavirus pandemic. Qantas announced a plan Thursday to reduce costs by billions of dollars and raise fresh capital. The plan...

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Friday, June 19, 2020. Australia is under increasing cyberattack from a “sophisticated state-based cyber actor,” Morrison said Friday. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image)

Australian leader says unnamed state increasing cyberattacks

Jun. 19, 2020 7:40 AM EDT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — "A sophisticated state-based cyber actor” was targeting Australia in an escalating cyber campaign that is threatening all levels of government, businesses, essential services and critical infrastructure, the prime minister said Friday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison would...

Members of the South Korean military band wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the new coronavirus cross a road during an event to commemorate the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Korean War, in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, June 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

The Latest: Coronavirus still spreading in 2nd S Korea wave

Jun. 18, 2020 11:30 PM EDT

SEOUL, South Korea — The coronavirus continues to spread in South Korea, particularly in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan region, which is home to half the country’s 51 million people. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 49 new cases for the nation Friday, with 26...

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