The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade presented its report into Strengthening Australia’s relationships with countries in the Pacific region in the Senate yesterday.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 31 March 2022

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade presented its report into Strengthening Australia’s relationships with countries in the Pacific region in the Senate yesterday. The Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee, Mr Dave Sharma MP stated, 'This Report seeks to build upon the success of the Pacific Step-up and identify further prospective areas for deepening and strengthening Australia’s engagement in the Pacific.' 'At a time of intensifying geopolitical competition and growing global challenges, especially that of climate change, fostering and strengthening Australia’s relationships with the Pacific has assumed a new importance and urgency.' The Committee made several recommendations, including: that Australia lead a large-scale, multi-year post-COVID-19 aid and recovery package; that Australia builds upon labour mobility schemes to provide better career development options and permanent residency pathways; that support for climate change mitigation and adaptation be a high priority in Australia’s immediate regional assistance program; that the Federal Court of Australia’s judicial capacity-building programs in the Pacific continue to be supported; the creation of a dedicated Pacific component to Australia’s permanent migration intake, akin to the New Zealand model; expanding Australia’s media and broadcasting footprint in the Pacific, recognising this is a key element of soft power; and exploring ambitious proposals for deeper integration, such as a long-term compact of free association Further information about the inquiry, including the report, submissions, transcripts, and responses to questions on notice, can be found on the Committee’s website. Media enquiries Office of Mr Dave Sharma MP Chair, Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee 02 9327 3988 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 JSCFADT@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

An inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships in the Pacific island region to meet current and emerging opportunities and risks will tomorrow discuss strengthening governance frameworks, explore planning for population displacement threats and hear about the 2020 roll-out of the PacificAus TV initiative in the region.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 2 December 2020

An inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships in the Pacific island region to meet current and emerging opportunities and risks will tomorrow discuss strengthening governance frameworks, explore planning for population displacement threats and hear about the 2020 roll-out of the PacificAus TV initiative in the region. The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hear from Ms Helen Burrows, head of the Federal Court of Australia’s International Program about the spin-off benefits of the program through fostering long-term judicial networks and legal capacity building in Pacific island countries. The Federal Court of Australia has been supporting programs of this kind for many years. The Committee is keen to hear more about the positive outcomes in community stability and potentially in regional security, beyond those seen in an improved legal system. The Sub-Committee will also discuss with representatives of Free TV Australia what has been described in their submission as the successful roll-out in 2020 - despite Covid-19 impacts - of the Australian Government initiative, PacificAus TV, being delivered by Free TV. PacificAus TV has enabled seven island countries access to free broadcasting rights for some 1000+ hours of Australian content programs. The initiative enables local broadcasters to introduce programs, at no cost to them, into their broadcasting schedule from a menu of Australian content. Ms Bridget Fair, CEO of Free TV Australia and Mr Shane Wood, Project Manager, PacificAus TV will share their experience about the initiative, and how it has been received in the Pacific. The Sub-Committee will also hear from Professor Jane McAdam, Director of the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at the University of NSW. Further details about the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Thursday 3 December 2020 Time: 11.00 am to 12.50 pm Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra (and by teleconference) The hearings will be video streamed live at aph.gov.au/live Media enquiries: Dave Sharma MP, Sub-Committee Chair Contact Natalie Hissey  02 9327 3988  Email natalie.hissey@aph.gov.au For background: Committee Secretariat  02 6277 2313  jscfadt@aph.gov.au

An inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships in the Pacific region to meet current and emerging opportunities and risks will tomorrow hear evidence of the almost ‘miraculous’ lack of Covid-19 cases in the Pacific islands. These Covid-free islands have, however, not been spared from the severe economic impacts of the global pandemic.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 11 November 2020

An inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships in the Pacific region to meet current and emerging opportunities and risks will tomorrow hear evidence of the almost ‘miraculous’ lack of Covid-19 cases in the Pacific islands. These Covid-free islands have, however, not been spared from the severe economic impacts of the global pandemic. The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hear from Mr Jonathan Pryke, Director of the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Islands Program and Mr Shane McLeod, Research Fellow of the Australia-Papua New Guinea Network. They will appear together to discuss the problems of fragile economies, exposure to natural disasters, climate change impacts and the many Pacific island countries indebted with poorly structured debt arrangements. Mr Pryke has recently proposed the opening up of the borders between Covid-free countries like Australia and New Zealand with Covid-free Pacific island countries to stimulate economies with a return to tourist trade. Prior to the pandemic the region was the major recipient of Australian development aid—and funding to these countries has been supplemented this year to cater for the indirect impacts of the global pandemic. Many Pacific island residents are now experiencing severe poverty. The Sub-Committee will also hear from Professor John Blaxland, an academic expert in international security and intelligence studies who will discuss the reasons he has proposed Australia adopts a ‘grand compact’ of association with Pacific micro-states. He has cited climate change impact; martime, territorial and domestic security problems and inadequate governance as the major threats to these countries and Australia’s relationship with them. The Sub-Committee has welcomed 68 primary submissions to date. Further details about the inquiry, including terms of reference, contributing a submission and details of public hearings, can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Thursday 12 November 2020 Time: 11.15 am to 12.45 pm Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra (and via teleconference) The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live Media enquiries: Dave Sharma MP, Sub-Committee Chair Contact Natalie Hissey (02) 9327 3988 Email natalie.hissey@aph.gov.au For background: Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au

The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will today hold a public hearing with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and prominent Pacific region journalists for the inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships in the Pacific.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 10 September 2020

The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will today hold a public hearing with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and prominent Pacific region journalists for the inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships in the Pacific. The Sub-Committee will hear from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on its media coverage in the Pacific region. Also appearing are representatives of the Australia Asia Pacific Media Initiative and also former senior foreign correspondents in the Pacific, Sean Dorney and Graeme Dobell. The Sub-Committee has been exploring the benefits of providing Australian content and media coverage as a tool in soft diplomacy for Australia to strengthen relationships with countries in the Pacific. Public hearing details Date: Thursday 10 September 2020 Time: 11.00 am to 1.00 pm Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live The Sub-Committee has welcomed 64 primary submissions to date. The Committee is still particularly keen to hear views from within Pacific island countries, individuals who have participated in labour mobility schemes, and those who have settled permanently in Australia. Further details about the inquiry, including terms of reference, contributing a submission and details of public hearings, can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media enquiries Mr Dave Sharma MP, Sub-Committee Chair Contact Miss Natalie Hissey (02) 9327 3988 natalie.hissey@aph.gov.au For background Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au

Diplomatic representatives from Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Kingdom of Tonga, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, New Zealand, and Kiribati will meet tomorrow with members of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade for a roundtable discussion on the topics of Pacific trade, aid and defence.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 3 September 2020

Diplomatic representatives from Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Kingdom of Tonga, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, New Zealand, and Kiribati will meet tomorrow with members of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade for a roundtable discussion on the topics of Pacific trade, aid and defence. The roundtable connects several inquiries from sub-committees of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee. Members of the sub-committees will be seeking the views of participants on the Australian Government’s Pacific Step-Up, infrastructure development, regional security, seasonal workers programs, a new development-centred trade agreement, the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) and the potential of a “Pacific bubble” for easier travel and tourism between the island nations and Australia and New Zealand, in response to the COVID-19 shutdowns. Further details about the about the inquiries, including terms of reference, details on how to contribute a submission and, when available, details of public hearings and roundtable discussions, can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Friday 4 September 2020 Time: 9:00am to 12:30pm Location: Committee Room IR1, Parliament House, Canberra The hearing will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live. Media enquiries Mr Dave Sharma MP, Sub-Committee Chair Contact: Miss Natalie Hissey (02) 9327 3988 For background information Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au

The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will today hold a public hearing with the two lead federal departments for the inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships in the Pacific.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 3 September 2020

The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will today hold a public hearing with the two lead federal departments for the inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships in the Pacific. The Committee will hear from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Defence on its coordinated efforts in planning for and delivering the development and capacity building ‘step-up’ program in the Pacific island region. The Sub-Committee has been exploring means of Australia strengthening relationships with countries in the Pacific region, including helping island countries tackle current and ongoing challenges and be in a better position to seize opportunities of benefit to their people. Sub-Committee Chair Mr Dave Sharma said “Although island and archipelago countries in the Pacific region have unique characteristics, all countries in the region face similar challenges—notably the current severe economic downturn as a result of shut-downs during the pandemic, health infrastructure preparedness, and the need to improve education, skills and employment opportunities. Other challenges include isolation, narrowly focused economies and low-lying topography subject to sea water inundation.” “The health, prosperity and security of the people in countries in our Pacific region is of vital mutual importance.” Mr Sharma said. The Committee is keen to hear about the impact of the Step-up program in the Pacific region to date. The Step-up program comprises a suite of development and security initiatives which commenced in 2018 and is now complemented by the Partnerships to recovery development response to the pandemic, announced in May. The Sub-Committee will join the Trade and the Defence Sub-Committees in hosting a roundtable hearing in Canberra on Friday, where the success of the Pacific step-up can be further explored with Pacific island Heads of Mission and High Commissioners. Public hearing details Date: Thursday 3 September Time: 11.00 am to 12.30 pm Location: Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra (and via teleconference) The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live The Sub-Committee has welcomed 64 primary submissions to date. The Committee is still particularly keen to hear views from within Pacific island countries, individuals who have participated in labour mobility schemes, and those who have settled permanently in Australia. Further details about the inquiry, including terms of reference, contributing a submission and details of public hearings, can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media enquiries Mr Dave Sharma MP, Sub-Committee Chair Contact Miss Natalie Hissey (02) 9327 3988 natalie.hissey@aph.gov.au For background Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au

The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will tomorrow hold its first roundtable public hearing for the inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships with the Pacific Islands.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 17 June 2020

The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will tomorrow hold its first roundtable public hearing for the inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships with the Pacific Islands. On 18 June the Committee will hear from seven experts with backgrounds in development assistance in the Pacific, including Caritas Australia, UnitingWorld, RESULTS International, UN-PRAC Project and the WASH Reference Group. A second roundtable hearing, with seven prominent academics will follow on 19 June. The Sub-Committee was tasked to inquire into how Australia could meet current and emerging opportunities and challenges facing the Pacific island region. Sub-Committee Chair Mr Dave Sharma said “Australia’s relationship with its Pacific neighbours is fundamentally important to Australia’s future. Our fates are intertwined.” “We have a long history of working constructively with our neighbours, including during times of adversity and challenge. Australia will be especially keen to help Pacific island states manage the health impacts of COVID-19 and recover from the economic impacts, and I expect this will be a large focus of the inquiry.” Public hearing details: Date: Thursday 18 June, 2020 Time: 8.00 am to 9.30 am Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra Date: Friday 19 June, 2020 Time: 8.30 am to 10.30 am Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live The Sub-Committee has welcomed 38 submissions to date, acknowledging that many submissions have been thoughtfully prepared under adverse conditions. The Committee is still keen to hear views from within Pacific island countries, individuals who have participated in labour mobility schemes, and those who have settled permanently in Australia, amongst others. Further details about the inquiry, including terms of reference, contributing a submission and details of public hearings, can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media enquiries: Mr Dave Sharma MP, Sub-Committee Chair Contact Miss Natalie Hissey (02) 9327 3988 natalie.hissey@aph.gov.au For background: Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au

The Parliament’s Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has launched a new inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships with Pacific region countries to meet current and emerging opportunities and challenges facing the region.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 18 February 2020

The Parliament’s Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has launched a new inquiry into strengthening Australia’s relationships with Pacific region countries to meet current and emerging opportunities and challenges facing the region. Chair of the JSCFADT, Senator the Hon David Fawcett noted that the Committee was considering Australia’s engagement in the Pacific through the lens of Defence, Trade and Human Rights, in addition to this inquiry. Chair of the Committee’s Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee, Mr Dave Sharma MP, said the inquiry will seek to inform and shape the next chapter of Australia’s strengthened engagement with its Pacific neighbours. “Australia’s relations with our Pacific neighbours are of fundamental importance and vital interest to Australia,” Mr Sharma said. “This inquiry will provide the Committee with an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of initiatives undertaken to support the ‘Step-Up’, and explore mechanisms to support increased engagement with our neighbours, including through greater involvement of non-government and community organisations.” The Committee will be seeking ideas on how Australia can build on the momentum of the Pacific Step-Up to increase engagement and linkages with Pacific Island neighbours, in support of our collective interests. The Committee welcomes submissions from any person or organisation with an interest in these issues. It especially seeks views from within Pacific island countries, those who have participated in labour mobility schemes, and those who have made Australia their permanent home, yet maintain current connections with their islands of origin. The views of those from non-Pacific island countries with development partnerships and interests in the region are also welcomed. Submissions addressing all or some of the terms of reference should be lodged by Friday, 3 April 2020; overseas submissions due by Friday, 17 April 2020. Further details about the inquiry, including terms of reference, contributing a submission and, when available, details of public hearings, can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media enquiries Mr Dave Sharma MP, Sub-Committee Chair Contact Mr Harry Stutchbury (02) 9327 3988 / Email harry.stutchbury@aph.gov.au For background Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au