Oct 2, 2013

Abbott under pressure over refugees

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was accused Wednesday by the opposition of “backpedaling at 100 miles an hour” on his hard-line asylum seeker policies during a sensitive diplomatic visit to Indonesia this week. Abbott chose Jakarta for his first international trip since winning Australia’s ...

Abbott visits Jakarta for refugee talks

Sep 30, 2013

Abbott visits Jakarta for refugee talks

Australia’s new Prime Minister Tony Abbott began a visit to Indonesia on Monday for talks on his tough refugee policies, which have sparked anger in Jakarta, as his government faced criticism over a boat sinking that left dozens dead or missing. Abbott laid a ...

Jakarta angry ahead of Abbott visit

Sep 27, 2013

Jakarta angry ahead of Abbott visit

A furor over Australia’s policy of turning boats full of asylum seekers back to Indonesia has erupted ahead of Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s first visit as Australian leader to its important neighbor. Indonesia has warned that the Australian Navy’s plan to intercept and force ...

Sep 18, 2013

Abbott sworn in as Australia's new leader

Tony Abbott was sworn in as Australia’s new prime minister Wednesday and immediately ordered the scrapping of the nation’s carbon tax and the halting of boats carrying asylum seekers. The 55-year-old conservative pledged to knuckle down immediately after the ceremony at Government House in ...

Can Abbott match Rudd's close rapport with Obama?

Sep 15, 2013

Can Abbott match Rudd's close rapport with Obama?

The United States expects smooth relations with Australian Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott, but it remains to be seen if he can match his predecessor’s good rapport with President Barack Obama. Abbott, a conservative who was born in London and has spoken of the importance ...

Sep 11, 2013

Big change down under

After the U.S., Australia is Japan's closest security partner. It is hoped that Japan and Australia under Tony Abbott and his new government will deepen their relationship.

Australian election clock ticks down

Sep 5, 2013

Australian election clock ticks down

A poisonous Australian election campaign will reach its climax Saturday, with conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott on track to become the next prime minister at the expense of Labor’s Kevin Rudd. With more than 1 million votes already cast and a blackout on political ...

Sep 2, 2013

Rudd scorns Abbott's Syria remarks

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Monday likened rival Tony Abbott’s “baddies versus baddies” comments on Syria to a children’s game of cowboys and Indians, saying he is unfit to deal with foreign policy. Abbott is the front-runner to win Saturday’s general elections over center-left ...