Gavin Pearce (Braddon, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic, our engagement in the Pacific remains one of Australia's highest foreign policy priorities. There has never been a more important time for us to stand shoulder to shoulder with our near neighbours and reaffirm our commitment to deliver a region that is both secure and sovereign. It makes sense. The Pacific is where we live. It is our home. The basis of strong relationships is being there for each other when we need it most, and it's at the heart of the Morrison government's Pacific Step-up. This program continues to grow economies, build resilience and enhance regional stability through defence, policing and border security cooperation. The program also continues decades of strengthening the region's capacity through the Defence Cooperation Program. As a region, we are united in our joint fight against the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic. For our part, Australia remains committed to working with our Pacific partners and maintaining our engagement within the restrictions of COVID-19. I'm pleased to advise that Defence has responded and is reprioritising funding through the Defence Cooperation Program to support the COVID-19 response wherever possible. Defence is also engaging closely with our security partners in the south-west Pacific to share our collective understanding of the impact of COVID-19 right across the region.

As we continue to work cooperatively with our partner neighbours, the bonds that exist are further strengthened. Not only is this true for our defence forces but, more importantly, it consolidates our steadfast ties with families, communities and nations right across the region. The reciprocal nature of the support was evident earlier this year, when our Pacific friends lent their support to our ADF response to the bushfire crisis. Australia faced an unprecedented national disaster when bushfires swept across large parts of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and, indeed, my home state of Tasmania. Images of the Fiji and PNG defence forces were welcomed into Australia and were uplifting, reminding us all of the deep connections that we share as nations.

It was also an important reminder that this relationship is two-way—one where we gratefully and welcomely accept support when needed, just as we lend a hand in their hour of need. In April this year, in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Harold, the Australian Defence Force conducted four flights into Vanuatu delivering critical emergency relief. In supporting the government's COVID-19 response, to date, the humanitarian corridor has transported over 21 tonnes of supplies into the region, including testing equipment, PPE and medical supplies for local hospitals. Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Marape and his government swiftly responded to help stop the outbreak. In response to the PNG government's request, Australia lent our support with the deployment of the Australian Medical Assistance Team, and this was welcomed by PNG on the ground.

'Vuvale' is the Fijian word for 'family' or 'my home is your home'. The Vuvale Partnership between Fiji and Australia aspires to elevate cooperation, consolidation and friendship between our two nations. However, the sentiment of 'vuvale' is not exclusive to our partnership with Fiji; it is our commitment to all our Pacific partners as we help protect their communities from COVID-19 and ensure that the region is secure, stable and sovereign.

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