Australia Criticizes China's Support for Russia, Highlights Pacific Pacts

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."

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!