Malcolm Turnbull

Australian anti-terrorism police arrested four men during a series of raids in Sydney overnight.

Heavily armed police carried out raids at several properties, in the inner-city suburb of Surry Hills, and the southwest suburbs of Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl.

Federal police were given information the plot involved the use of an "improvised device".

A woman, who told the ABC her son and husband were arrested after her Surry Hills house was raided, denied they had any links to terrorism.

Three months into his presidency, Trump's sternly nationalistic and isolationist rhetoric has Australia questioning whether it can continue to count on the US, testing one of the world's closest alliances.

"There's a great sense of loss about the America that we thought underpinned the security order (and) that the America we relied on might not be there," Mathew Davies, head of the international Relations Department at the Australian National University, told CNN.

Turnbull visited Isurava Memorial Site in Northern Province and Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby during his state visit to Papua New Guinea, speaking highly of the comradeship. 

“Australia freedom depends on courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice of those Australians and Papua New Guineans who stood together and held back the Japanese advancement,” Turnbull said yesterday.

“Three times the Japanese tried to take Port Moresby, rebuffed the battle of the Coral Sea and held back at Kokoda Track, rebuffed again, and defeated at the battle of Milne Bay.

O’Neill made this comment during a joint media conference in Port Moresby with his Australia counterpart Malcolm Turnbull.   

Turnbull is on an official visit to his country’s former colony. 

“Not many refugees want to settle in PNG and we cannot force them to resettle (here),” O’Neill said.

He added that the resettlement to a third country is guided by Australia and there are close consultations going on.

Meanwhile, Turnbull said “there is a resettlement process under way, and also discussions with United States.  

“Like any resource dependent economy around the world, we have had our share of challenges that had made a huge reduction in our revenues,” O’Neill said today in Port Moresby.   

“And we have to adjust our budgets so we can meet the short fall.

“But we have made no cuts to main sectors, health, education and law and order.”

O’Neill is currently hosting Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the Papua New Guinea’s capital.

Turnbull will depart Port Moresby tomorrow. 

Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull revealed this in Port Moresby today after a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

He also visited World War II memorials including Kokoda and the Bomana War Cemetery.  

Turnbull said the solidarity and friendship shown by people of both countries in 1942 is evident in the relationship and bond experienced today.

 “We also talked about protecting the maritime resources, fisheries from illegal fishing,” Turnbull said.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said in a joint media conference in Port Moresby with his Australia counterpart Malcolm Turnbull.    

“Writs will be issued on April 20, Australia Government will assist in logistics and also participation in the international observation throughout the country,” O’Neill said.

Australia will also provide training to security personnel, and further provide logistical support to Papua New Guinea to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member states meeting in 2018.

The Royal Australian Airforce transporting Prime Minister Turnbull and his delegation touched down at 8:02 pm.

At 8:16 pm Turnbull descended from the aircraft escorted by Chief Protocol Officer Morea Veratau. Turnbull was met by Foreign Affairs Minister, Rimbink Pato, Minister for Sports, Special Events and APEC, Justin Tkatchenko, NCD Governor Powes Parkop and Chief Secretary, Isaac Lupari.

It was only a brief meet before Turnbull was taken away.

Tomorrow, the Australian Prime Minister will visit the Isurava Memorial Site in Northern Province.

Sir Mekere said Turnbull came to office in September 2015 – over 18 months ago. 

“In all that time, he has visited many countries, all over the world. He has not found time to visit Papua New Guinea, one of Australia’s most important neighbours.

“Why come now? What is so important now that cannot be dealt with by officials?”

Sir Mekere said the two Prime Ministers met in Australia a few weeks ago.

“They have met countless times at APEC, Pacific Islands’ Forum Leaders’ meetings, UN meetings, etc.

National Events and Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko confirmed to Loop PNG of the three days State visit of the Australia’s PM to Papua New Guinea.   

Tkatchenko said Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his Australian counterpart will be holding bilateral meetings in Port Moresby.  

It is understood that Australia Aid to PNG, 2017 National Elections assistance, 2018 APEC preparations, will be some of the agendas of discussion.      

PNG is a former colony of Australia and is one of the biggest recipients of Australia taxpayers’ development aid.