Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Earlier this week I met with participants in the Pacific Australia Emerging Leaders Summit. My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Can you tell us how the Albanese Labor government is building stronger partnerships with the countries of the Pacific family and the Pacific region as a whole and how that is going?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Wong, it's your question.

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

I apologise. I was distracted by a discussion with the leader. Would you mind repeating the question? I'll make sure there's additional time post three o'clock.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Bilyk, please repeat the question.

Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Earlier this week I met with participants in the Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Summit. Can you tell us how the Albanese Labor government is building stronger partnerships with the countries of the Pacific family and the Pacific region as a whole?

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

I thank Senator Bilyk and I apologise that Senator Birmingham and I were so engrossed that I didn't hear a question that I had in fact spoken with her about the importance of asking. I acknowledge and will come to those members of the Pacific family who are here today in the gallery.

We are seeking to build a stronger Pacific family by showing up and listening, by acting on climate change and by boosting our security cooperation and development assistance. The government's investment in maritime security, climate action, labour mobility, health and education will help our regional co-partners become more economically resilient, develop critical infrastructure and provide their own security. The investments the Albanese government has put in place will deliver on our commitments to build a stronger and more united Pacific family and a peaceful, prosperous and resilient region.

As foreign minister since the election, I've had the privilege of undertaking seven separate visits to the Pacific, visiting 11 countries and, importantly, attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji with the Prime Minister and Minister Conroy, the Minister for International Development and the Pacific. In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister has visited PNG, Nauru, Tonga and Fiji, where he signed a landmark status of forces agreement. Minister Conroy has visited Fiji, PNG and Solomon Islands and last week attended in Vanuatu the first in-person Pacific Community ministerial conference—SPC—since the onset of the pandemic.

Australia is a proud founding member of the SPC, which is the largest scientific and technical regional organisation in the Pacific. For 75 years SPC has brought the Pacific together in the Pacific way for members to achieve our shared ambitions and face our shared challenges. I know Minister Conroy was so pleased to represent Australia in this important forum.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Bilyk, first supplementary?

Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How is the Albanese Labor government responding to the needs and the priorities of the Pacific family?

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

I thank Senator Bilyk. One of the things that we have been very focused on communicating is that our partnerships in the region will be guided by Pacific priorities. Communities and leaders across the blue Pacific have been clear about the impact of the three Cs. This was part of the discussion of the leaders discussion at the Pacific Islands Forum. The three Cs are climate, COVID and contest. This is articulated in the 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, endorsed by forum leaders this year, and I was very pleased to be with Prime Minister Bainimarama and other Pacific leaders at the UN when this was launched. It is a vision for the Pacific's economic, environmental and strategic future written by and written for Pacific nations and Pacific peoples. At the heart is the simple concept that the Pacific knows best what its priorities are and how to achieve them.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Bilyk, second supplementary?

Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for that answer. Minister, how is the Albanese Labor government elevating Pacific voices on the world stage and supporting Pacific emerging leaders?

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

When it comes to climate action, the nations of the Pacific have led the way for a long time. I remember as climate minister being struck by the power and sincerity of the voice of Pacific island nations on climate change, well ahead of where the domestic debate was in Australia. They have called on us to act, we have heard them and we have responded. We are honoured that all Pacific Islands Forum governments have supported Australia's bid to co-host with the Pacific COP31. How we deal with the climate crisis now is central to the future we leave young people and future generations.

I want to acknowledge and welcome the impressive group of Pacific scholars and researchers joining us here today. I pay tribute to the work you're doing to chart a course for your own futures and the future of our shared region. Young leaders from Fiji, Samoa, Aotearoa New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Tonga, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia have been participating in a colloquium through ANU, and we welcome you here today. (Time expired)