‘One Square Inch’: Philippines President Defies Beijing’s Territorial Claims in Speech to Parliament

Published on February 29, 2024

Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr told the federal parliament that his country needs Australia’s help in standing up to aggression in the Indo-Pacific. “As in 1942, the Philippines now finds itself on the front line against actions that undermine regional peace, erode regional stability, and threaten regional success. Then, as now, we remain firm in defending our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” he told Parliament on Feb. 29. “I shall never tire of repeating the declaration that I made from the first day that I took office: ‘I will not allow any attempt by any foreign power to take even one square inch of our sovereign territory,'” in what was seen by most observers as a reference to as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)....

Continue reading on website
Other news

Bill Banning Replacement Workers Unanimously Passes Second Reading

February 29, 2024
A labour bill aimed at banning replacement workers in the federally regulated private sector garnered unanimous support in the Commons Feb. 27, passing its second reading with a vote of 318–0.Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan hailed the moment as significant.“This is a big deal. This is history,” he said.He said the unanimous vote underscored the robustness of the “labour movement,” as first covered

Treasurer Takes Aim at ‘Right-Wing’ Money Used in Victorian By-election

February 29, 2024
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has criticised right-leaning advocacy groups for using advertising campaigns to influence a by-election in Victoria, saying there had been an “influx of rabid right-wing money” into Australian politics.This comes as voters in the Victorian seat of Dunkley will go to the polls on March 1 to elect their new representative following the death of Labor MP Peta Murphy.The by-elec