Australia news live: PM to host three Pacific leaders in Brisbane, with all eyes on China after missile test

The outage is apparently playing havoc with morning TV.

ABC News ۲۴ breakfast host James Glenday just said:

A number of members of our team have been affected by this, including some of the people we’re trying to get on the show this morning.

Telstra is suffering an apparently widespread problem on its mobile network.

On social media the carrier said:

We’re looking into an issue affecting some mobile calls and data connections. If you’re having trouble connecting at first, try again as it may work on a retry. We’re on it and will share an update as soon as it’s fixed. Thanks for bearing with us.

Thousands of users have already reported problems with Telstra to the site Downdetector.com.au, starting around ۴am today.

Anthony Albanese will host a trio of Pacific prime ministers as he tries to bolster Australia’s regional influence amid the creeping threat of China, Australian Associated Press reports.

The bilateral meetings with Papua New Guinea’s James Marape, Tonga’s Lord Fakafānua and Samoa’s La’auli Leuatea Schmidt will be followed by a Pacific rugby league event in Brisbane with all four leaders.

Albanese will also host the prime ministers at the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.

The prime minister has returned from a successful trip to Fiji and Solomon Islands, during which he signed a significant defence pact with Fiji.

The Ocean of Peace Alliance, which could be expanded to other Pacific nations, makes Fiji Australia’s fourth official ally.

Henry Ivarature of the Australian Pacific Security College said continued talks, to expand Australia’s presence in neighbouring islands, signal a new era of strength for the region.

“I think Australia has learned to listen and it has learned to accept the way Pacific governments work. It has been patient,” he said.

But Ivarature said attention would now turn to sustaining trust across a long period. The Brisbane talks will likely focus on expanding military and aid work in the Pacific, as China looms as a geopolitical threat.

Welcome to Guardian Australia’s live news coverage.

I’m Martin Farrer and I’ll bring you the morning’s news before your regular blogger takes the wheel.

We start with a look at the PM’s day of diplomacy: following his recent Pacific push – and with all eyes on China after the superpower’s missile test – Anthony Albanese is hosting the leaders of Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Samoa for talks in Brisbane (and, not coincidentally, a chance to watch the State of Origin decider).

Stay with us.