Defence Diplomacy: Australia’s Deputy PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles will travel to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (16–17 Aug), meeting PNG’s PM and new Defence Minister to advance the Pukpuk Treaty, and in Solomon Islands joining ministers to open the Western Border Outpost in the Shortlands. Border Security & Police Capability: Australia will hand over the new Lofung Border and Patrol Boat Outpost on 17 Aug, bringing police, customs, biosecurity and immigration under one roof to strengthen the western maritime frontier; RSIPF also received two upgraded Naiad vessels to boost near-shore maritime policing and rapid response. Parliament & Public Finance: Parliament deferred consideration of the 2025 and 2026 supplementary appropriation Bills after required reports weren’t tabled. Mining Law Reform: The Government introduced the Mineral Resources Bill 2025 to modernise mining rules, make Community Development Agreements statutory, strengthen landowner access and compensation, and tighten environmental safeguards. Economy & Revenue: Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo told Parliament growth is revised to 3.5% (with mining, agriculture, tourism and fisheries leading) while logging declines; he also flagged concerns about weak visible capital inflows from mining and announced tax reforms to tackle exemptions and abuse. Regional Cooperation: PM Wale met SPC on technical cooperation (ocean management, fisheries, climate, energy) and met Indonesia’s ambassador on agriculture and education, including coconut value-add. Sports Governance: OFC welcomed FIFA’s withdrawal of the Forward Enterprise proposal, calling for transparency and respect for established processes.