Tim Lester

Covering federal politics and national security for Seven News Australia.

[7NEWS Melbourne @7NewsMelbourne]

The U.S. sees Australia as a 'strategic liability', according to a respected voice in American defence and intelligence.

John Powers has told 7NEWS, Washington is right to press Canberra for a big jump in defence spending after years of under investment in our military. https://t.co/YJdvZSaMVo @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Sydney @7NewsSydney]

We're just days from the first votes being cast, but after a fast start to the campaign, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton took their foot off the accelerator. https://t.co/7hgmGUmPdX @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Adelaide @7NewsAdelaide]

While in Adelaide, Peter Dutton has admitted he 'made a mistake' after confirming a sensational backflip on a core election promise. Walking away from plans to end work from home arrangements, and to cut the public service, the Liberal leader is now attempting to steer attention to his fuel plan. @telester #auspol #7NEWS

[7NEWS Queensland @7NewsBrisbane]

Blood has been spilled on the election campaign when a wayward footy kick from Peter Dutton injured a cameraman. The Liberal leader was in the top end, promising to boot out the Chinese owner of the Port of Darwin. https://t.co/VZ3A1cHvFd @telester @ijmullen #auspol #7NEWS

[7NEWS Sydney @7NewsSydney]

The Liberal Party has dumped the NSW candidate for the seat of Whitlam, Benjamin Britton, over claims women shouldn’t be in the army. https://t.co/TWh1KQh9q4 @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Melbourne @7NewsMelbourne]

The polls are tight, but Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton could not have been further apart today, both leaders firing attack lines from opposite sides of the country. That while a new Chinese spy ship, lurking near Australia, stirs fresh trouble. @Riley7News @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Queensland @7NewsBrisbane]

7NEWS was given an exclusive look at the first test-firing of new long range missiles capable of sinking warships. https://t.co/XwwMLmMvks @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Sydney @7NewsSydney]

One of Australia's biggest and best known artefacts from WWII has been pulled apart piece by piece. The 'G for George' bomber is being packed up for its journey back into the public spotlight. https://t.co/dHFxE8BvIv @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Adelaide @7NewsAdelaide]

US President Donald Trump has delivered a potentially catastrophic blow to Ukraine suspending all military assistance. It could condemn the country to Russian rule and is a seismic shift in global security, especially for America's allies. @rob7scott @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Melbourne @7NewsMelbourne]

Donald Trump's executive order barrage has hit a snag with his latest demand triggering a constitutional fight that could go all the way to America's highest court. https://t.co/MMFlrKt1zw @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Adelaide @7NewsAdelaide]

Within hours of retaking the oath, president Trump had torn down much of Joe Biden's legacy, he torched America’s action on climate change, sent troops to the border and freed hundreds of violent criminals. It ends more than half a century of public service for Joe Biden. #7NEWS

[7NEWS Queensland @7NewsBrisbane]

In the coming hours, Donald Trump will officially be sworn in as president of the United States again. On the eve of his inauguration, he addressed thousands of his supporters, vowing to make sweeping changes to America on day one. https://t.co/PlQKSrqf5C @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Melbourne @7NewsMelbourne]

Millions of social media users in the U.S. are in meltdown after TikTok pulled its app offline, just hours before it was set to be banned as a national security risk.

It's a mess incoming President Donald Trump will now have to sort out, as he jets into Washington ready to be sworn in for a second time. https://t.co/YzOkmSFicf @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Melbourne @7NewsMelbourne]

America's highest court has all but locked-in the country's fiercely contested ban of social media behemoth TikTok.

Supporters of the app are now looking to incoming U.S. President Donald Trump to save it, though it's not yet clear if he will. https://t.co/OtWMP4pcYn @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Queensland @7NewsBrisbane]

Peace in the Middle East could soon be a reality with negotiators finally clinching a deal between Israel and Hamas. There is hope at least some hostages in Gaza could be freed within days as Israeli troops pull back from the territory. https://t.co/Po2NubcfMI @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Sydney @7NewsSydney]

A New York Court has locked in Donald Trump's status as a felon. He will become the first convicted criminal to take the oath as President of the US. https://t.co/a8RCs1Xykj @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Adelaide @7NewsAdelaide]

The longest-lived president in US history has been laid to rest after a Washington funeral to honour him. It brought together presidents past and present with a surprisingly jovial interaction between two who are meant to be bitter rivals. https://t.co/EkvKUU7m7D @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Melbourne @7NewsMelbourne]

Donald Trump has refused to rule out using US forces to seize the Panama Canal and Greenland, calling them critical to national security. Trump made the remarkable suggestion as Washington began its farewell for another president. https://t.co/4Lm4F6iWxj @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Melbourne @7NewsMelbourne]

Donald Trump's return to the presidency has been locked in and it was one final blow for the candidate he beat. As the sitting vice president, Karmala Harris had to oversee proceedings. It went smoothly in stark contrast to the same event four years ago. @telester #7NEWS

[7NEWS Melbourne @7NewsMelbourne]

Joe Biden has upset many on social media by awarding several of his key allies, the highest civilian honour a US President can give. https://t.co/hLHFYe3VXS @telester #7NEWS