Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Again I thank Senator Scarr. Since the pandemic began the Prime Minister, I, Minister Hawke and many other ministers and colleagues have been working very closely with partners to shape our regional responses and of course our own Partnerships for Recovery, as I mentioned. That includes numerous bilateral calls made to ministerial counterparts in the first three months of the pandemic, as well as participating virtually in really important ASEAN and Pacific Islands Forum meetings taking place even in the context of COVID-19.

Our neighbours, like us, see the value of working in close partnership to respond to this pandemic. As Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said recently, 'Australia has stepped up with solidarity to ensure Pacific economies are not left behind.' Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak also issued a statement noting the Australian government and people's support and solidarity. He also noted that Australia itself was dealing with COVID-19 issues and welcomed our response.