Ben McKay

1 week ago | thewest.com.au | Ben McKay

Crossbench calls for aid lift in face of meagre pledges

1 week ago | canberratimes.com.au | Ben McKay

Crossbenchers have called for Australia's foreign aid budget to be more generous. Photo: HANDOUT/DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADECrossbenchers who could hold the balance of power have backed more than tripling Australia's meagre foreign aid budget to meet international benchmarks.

1 week ago | canberratimes.com.au | Ben McKay

NZ Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the figures confirm "the era of high inflation is over". Photo: Ben McKay/AAP PHOTOSHeadline inflation has risen for the first time in three years in New Zealand, but remains in the Reserve Bank's target band.

1 week ago | nit.com.au | Ben McKay |Dechlan Brennan |Joseph Guenzler

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has stood strong in the face of a no-confidence motion in parliament, winning the vote without even debating it. As was predicted by political analysts leading into Tuesday's vote, Mr Marape easily survived despite the best efforts of the opposition. After a rambunctious debate, Speaker Job Pomat called a division, which produced a 16-89 split against the motion, which would have made Sir Peter Ipatas the prime minister.

2 weeks ago | nit.com.au | Ben McKay |Dechlan Brennan |Giovanni Torre

The Asian Development Bank has issued stilted growth projections through the Pacific for the next two years. On Wednesday, the regional bank and major aid funder issued its flagship annual forecasts, with a headline figure of 3.9 per cent growth for the region in 2025. That's down from the 4.2 per cent growth experienced in 2024, and comes before a further fall expected in 2026 of 3.6 per cent.