Australia will step up in the Pacific and take engagement with the region to a new level.
A new package of security, economic, diplomatic and people to people initiatives will build on its strong partnerships in the Pacific.
From the Seasonal Workers Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme to the support for Lombrum Naval Base and new Pacific Patrol Boats, DFAT is delivering outcomes for a secure and prosperous Pacific region.
Australia has a long history of cooperation with Pacific neighbors.
“We want to work with our Pacific Islands partners to build a Pacific region that is secure strategically, stable economically and sovereign politically.”
Building on a long history of Australian defence, police and border management cooperation across the region, and in line with the Boe Declaration adopted by Pacific leaders at the 2018 Pacific Islands Forum, DFAT will enhance its security cooperation with Pacific neighbors.
In addition to the Australia Pacific Security College and Fusion Centre, which will address gaps in training and information sharing in the Pacific, a new Pacific faculty at the Australian Institute of Police Management will train the next generation of police leadership in the Pacific.
The Defence Force will work with partners to build interoperability to respond together to the common security challenges, including through the establishment of a new ADF Pacific Mobile Training Team.
The Government will put in place arrangements to ensure Australia has a dedicated vessel to deliver support to our partners in the Pacific, including for humanitarian assistance and response.
This comes on top of the recent agreement with Fiji to redevelop the Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp into a regional hub for police and peacekeeping training and pre-deployment preparation.
Better economic infrastructure in Pacific nations will contribute to stronger growth, not only in their countries but across Australia. Productive and sustainable investment is mutually beneficial.
The Government will establish the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, a $2 billion infrastructure initiative to significantly boost Australia’s support for infrastructure development in Pacific countries and Timor-Leste.
Australia’s commitment to the Pacific is strong and enduring.
Original source: DFAT
Published on 8 November 2018
