Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Senator Bishop, I move:

That—

(a)

the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee for inquiry and report by 30 May 2009:

The major economic and security challenges facing Papua New Guinea and the island states of the southwest Pacific, with particular reference to:

(i)

the implications for Australia, and

(ii)

how the Australian Government can, in practical and concrete ways, assist these countries to meet the challenges; and

(i)

employment opportunities, labour mobility, education and skilling,

(ii)

barriers to trade, foreign investment, economic infrastructure, land ownership and private sector development, and

(iii)

current regional organisations such as the Pacific Islands Forum and the Secretariat of Pacific Community.

Question agreed to.