Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

Pacific island leaders agreed to commence work on a new regional security declaration, to position the region better to deal with those new and emerging security challenges—transnational crime, people smuggling, cyberattacks, health security and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. To this end, Australia is funding the new aerial surveillance mission to help us detect and disrupt illegal fishing. Flights are expected to commence before the end of the year. This will help us address transnational crime and people smuggling. This enhances also our $2 billion Pacific Maritime Security Program and the replacement of the 19 patrol boats. Our new Pacific labour scheme will give workers from Pacific island countries the opportunity to work in Australia and remit important remittances, which are so vital to their economies.