Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Ciccone for his question, and I thank him also as chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade committee. I know he is particularly interested in these matters, which go to ensuring Australia is safer and more secure in our region and in the world. What I would say is that you will see in this budget the government's commitment to renewing our closest relationships and the government's commitment to advancing Australia's interests and Australia's values. You will see in that budget, consistent with what we have been doing since we were elected, the work that the government is undertaking to make Australia the partner of choice for the countries of our region to ensure Australia's security, to ensure Australia's economic strength and to shape the world for the better.

Our intention is to do what we are able to do to help build a stronger Pacific family. We want to help our regional partners become more economically resilient, develop critical infrastructure and provide their own security so that they have less need to call on others. The investments outlined in the budget include an additional $900 million over the next four years to support Pacific development and resilience. This follows a decade of Liberal cuts which undermined the national interest. That is the pity of the approach that was taken—against Ms Bishop's advice and, I assume, against Senator Payne's, but that's a matter for her—by the previous government to reduce Australia's development assistance because that was a reduction in Australia's influence in the region.

The additional ODA and other measures will advance our interests by tackling poverty and supporting stability, prosperity and security in our region. Likewise, we are also intent on improving and expanding Pacific labour mobility to help Pacific economies still struggling with the aftermath of COVID. (Time expired)