Tony Abbott

Australia's hardline policy on asylum-seekers, who have been pushed back by the boatload and incarcerated in offshore camps, is under pressure as public sympathy for Syrians escaping conflict swells in a nation built on migration.
 

New Zealand announced on Sept.7 it will take 750 Syrian refugees over the next three years after coming under intense pressure to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Europe.

Australian police on Aug. 25 dropped a terrorism related charge against a teenage boy who was accused of planning an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) inspired attack at a national remembrance day parade.

Australian Federal Police formally withdrew the charge against 18-year-old Harun Causevic of conspiring to commit an act of terror and released him on bail. 

Australia moved closer to recognising Aboriginal people in its constitution July 6 after talks with indigenous leaders, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said as he urged an end to the "echoing silence" in the founding document.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott July 2 brushed off mounting pressure for a parliamentary vote on same-sex marriage from within his conservative coalition, saying he was more focused on the economy and security.

Australia on June 15 told Indonesia to better secure its borders in a stinging rebuke after Jakarta demanded answers to allegations Canberra paid to turn back a boat of asylum-seekers.

The leader of Australia's opposition Labor Party introduced a bill to legalise same-sex marriage on June 1, adding the backing of a major party to growing public support for the issue after last month's landmark 'yes' vote in Ireland. 

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott May 24 said his country would not follow Ireland's lead and hold a referendum on gay marriage, adding that any decisions would be made by parliament.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said May 1 that Indonesia's sympathy for the families of two drug traffickers it executed was a good sign for resuming strong ties between the nations.

Thousands gather on Gallipoli Peninsula for an Anzac Day dawn service to mark the centenary of the landing of Allied troops Leaders and dignitaries from Australia, New Zealand and Turkey led thousands at dawn ceremonies on Turkey's Gallipoli peninsula on April 25 to mark the 100th anniversary of a World War One battle that helped shape their nations.