How The Australian’s Ben Packham broke news of China’s nuclear-capable missile test fire in the South Pacific

Australia-China relations are at a significant low, after a Chinese submarine launched a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile in the South Pacific and Anthony Albanese accused Beijing of a ‘provocative’ act that undermined regional peace. Today, the journo who broke the story before the missile was even fired – Ben Packham – joins us from the Solomon Islands.

Australia-China relations are at a significant low, after a Chinese submarine launched a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile in the South Pacific and Anthony Albanese accused Beijing of a ‘provocative’ act that undermined regional peace. Today, the journo who broke the story before the missile was even fired – Ben Packham – joins us from the Solomon Islands.

Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

China launches sea-based missile in South Pacific after Anthony Albanese signs pact with Fiji

Commentary by Ben Packham: China claims this was a routine missile test and not tied to our new Fiji deal. Pull the other one

‘Get used to’ our nukes, says China, as US lashes ‘rapid, opaque’ buildup

China missile test a nuclear ‘message’ to Australia

China missile test raises an intelligence question for PM

Editorial: China’s missile test shows it has got the Pacific message

This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. 

Australia-China relations are at a significant low, after a Chinese submarine launched a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile in the South Pacific and Anthony Albanese accused Beijing of a &lsquo;provocative&rsquo; act that undermined regional peace. Today, the journo who broke the story before the missile was even fired &ndash; Ben Packham &ndash; joins us from the Solomon Islands.
Read more about this story at&nbsp;<a href="http://theaustralian.com.au">theaustralian.com.au</a> and see the video by subscribing to our <a href="https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfDC8EeZJyt1IVjv5bCRbFBkTl-VYpJyf">YouTube channel</a>.
<a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/china-to-test-nuclear-missile-in-south-pacific-after-anthony-albanese-signs-pact-with-fiji/news-story/5c7504085d0c5221a9dd4bc8881d1dfc">China launches sea-based missile in South Pacific after Anthony Albanese signs pact with Fiji</a>
Commentary by Ben Packham:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/china-claims-this-was-a-routine-missile-test-and-not-tied-to-our-new-fiji-deal-pull-the-other-one/news-story/78b6a7cb1ca2f28642dc0c004ac6916e">China claims this was a routine missile test and not tied to our new Fiji deal. Pull the other one</a>
<a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics-latest-flight-path-of-longrange-chinese-missile-test-revealed/live-coverage/47c3d5f0595057264d27f2df8850489d#:~:text=Jul%2007%2C%202026-,HIGHLIGHT,-Missile%20test%20%27restrained">&lsquo;Get used to&rsquo; our nukes, says China, as US lashes &lsquo;rapid, opaque&rsquo; buildup</a>
<a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/australia-formally-protests-chinas-nuclear-capable-missile-test/news-story/d5936158de2c335ea6e2460e9aa4074f">China missile test a nuclear &lsquo;message&rsquo; to Australia</a>
<a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/pezzullo-on-china-missile-test-theres-an-intelligence-question-to-ask/news-story/bd427f369ec5b62e4f76ce9d6ef943d5">China missile test raises an intelligence question for PM</a>
Editorial:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/editorials/chinas-missile-test-shows-it-has-got-the-pacific-message/news-story/226fb96a955a9587fb742e1602147749">China&rsquo;s missile test shows it has got the Pacific message</a>
This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.&nbsp;

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia's national broadsheet to audio, featuring behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms.

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia’s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day’s essential page one stories, journalists’ candid take on the issues that matter and behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms. 

To find out more about The Front you can link here and for more from the newsroom at The Australian link here or search for The Australian in your app store.

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia&rsquo;s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day&rsquo;s essential page one stories, journalists&rsquo; candid take on the issues that matter and behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms.&nbsp;
To find out more about The Front you can link <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/the-front/podcast/7e7d42e8c77b597cf8532d2e0c847e10">here</a> and for more from the newsroom at The Australian link <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/">here</a> or search for The Australian in your app store.

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia’s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day’s essential page one stories.

The Front

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia’s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day’s essential page one stories, journalists’ candid take on the issues that matter and behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms.

To find out more about The Front you can link here and for more from the newsroom at The Australian link here or search for The Australian in your app store.

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia&rsquo;s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day&rsquo;s essential page one stories, journalists&rsquo; candid take on the issues that matter and behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms.
To find out more about The Front you can link <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/the-front/podcast/7e7d42e8c77b597cf8532d2e0c847e10">here</a> and for more from the newsroom at The Australian link <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/">here</a> or search for The Australian in your app store.

How we revealed China’s missile launch before it happened

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b12ee36d-d278-4eef-a0f7-b480008ff1fe/transcript