Australia news live: Richard Marles left adrift as UK counterpart quits hours before scheduled visit to naval yard

Australia’s defence minister had been due to visit a naval base in Portsmouth with British defence secretary John Healey. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Nick Visser with the main action. We kick off with news from the UK, where our deputy PM and defence minister, Richard Marles , was visiting for a ministerial summit but had t
The Victoria’s Secret chair, Donna James , has been re-elected to the board of the lingerie company after surviving a push by a dissident shareholder, the Australian billionaire Brett Blundy , to have her removed.
James received 83% of all votes cast, according to Reuters , at the US company’s annual meeting held overnight.

Blundy, who is the second-biggest shareholder at Victoria’s Secret, with a near 13% stake through his investment firm BBRC International, has been pushing for changes at the company since about 2021.
He has previously sought a position on the board, and has built a stake that could be used as a platform to launch a hostile takeover.
The Monaco-based Australian has a net wealth of $4.5bn, according to the AFR ’s rich list, and is chair of the Lovisa jewellery brand, founder of the Léays lingerie stores and former owner of the Bras N Things and Honey Birdette brands.
Coverage from 8 sources
- Australia news live: Richard Marles left adrift as UK counterpart quits hours before scheduled visit to naval yardGuardian - World · Nick Visser · Jun 11, 2026, 11:04 PM
- Australia news live: Australian billionaire fails in bid to unseat Victoria’s Secret chair; Labor says minister’s resignation will have ‘no effect’ on AukusGuardian - World · Nick Visser · Jun 12, 2026, 12:03 AM
- Australia news live: Pauline Hanson says she consults her ‘friend’ Gina Rinehart on policy; Australian billionaire fails to unseat Victoria’s Secret chairGuardian - World · Nick Visser · Jun 12, 2026, 2:14 AM
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