A u s t r a l i a a n d F r a n c e i n a w a r d e a l

Australia will work with France to produce ammunition for Ukraine's war effort, in the latest sign that relations between the two countries are recovering

But an expert is warning the deal, which will see several thousand rounds of 155-millimetre ammunition sent to the front, is a drop in the ocean as Ukraine defends itself from Russian aggression

Appearing alongside their French counterparts in Paris, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the ammunition would be produced as part of a "growing and deepening" relationship between the two countries

The visit comes six months after Anthony Albanese made Paris one of his early stops as prime minister

France was outraged by Australia abruptly scrapping a $90 billion deal with French company Naval group for a dozen submarines, instead pursuing nuclear-powered vessels as part of the AUKUS security pact with the UK and the US

New PM for NZ

Chris Hipkins, 44, the leader of the New Zealand Labour Party is New Zealand’s new Prime Minister He was sworn in as 41st prime minister by the governor-general, Cindy Kiro, 25 January 2023

He officially replaced Jacinda Ardern following her abrupt departure from the role two weeks earlier

"This forms part of the ongoing level of support that both France and Australia is providing Ukraine to make sure that

Ukraine is able to stay in this conflict and be able to see it concluded on its own terms," Mr Marles said