Australia’s relationships with the nations of the Pacific are of enduring importance. They are underpinned by a long shared history, common values, strong ties between peoples, and a natural empathy.
At a time of intensifying geopolitical competition and growing global challenges, especially that of climate change, fostering and strengthening these relationships has assumed a new importance and urgency.
The Pacific Step-up, a whole-of-government effort to deepen and better coordinate Australia’s engagement with the nations of the Pacific, recognised this urgency. It has addressed a deficit in creative policy-making, and delivered tangible results in terms of the quality and impact of Australia’s Pacific relationships.
This Report seeks to build upon the success of the Step-up to date, learn pertinent lessons, and identify further prospective areas for deepening and strengthening Australia’s engagement in the Pacific.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a significant shock to the Pacific, and tested the resilience of public health systems and economies. Just as Australia helped the Pacific in managing the COVID pandemic, the Report notes the importance of Australia continuing to support post-COVID recovery efforts in the region, building on the Partnerships for Recovery package.
Recognising the growing importance of labour mobility schemes in our Pacific relationships, the Report recommends that such schemes be built upon to support career development, build relationships, and provide pathways to permanent residency. The Committee was also attracted to the proposal of a dedicated Pacific component within Australia’s permanent migration intake.
Climate change and its impacts remains one of the most pressing concerns of Pacific nations. The Report recommends that climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience be a high priority for Australia’s assistance to the region.
Soft power is growing in importance as a tool of diplomacy and statecraft in the Pacific. Whilst Australia’s soft power assets in the region remain substantial, the Report recommends that Australia look to expand our media and broadcasting footprint in the region, such that we retain our role as a trusted and accessible source of information for these countries.
The Committee heard several bold and ambitious proposals for strengthening Australia’s relationships with the Pacific, including for ‘deep integration’ and ‘compact of association’ arrangements. Some of these ideas may prove to be non-starters, for a range of reasons. Nonetheless the Report recommends that these ideas be further scoped and evaluated, and openly discussed, with a view to informing the long-term future of Australia’s relationships with the region.
Mr Dave Sharma MP
Chair
Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee