The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade presented its report into Strengthening Australia's relationships with countries in the Pacific region in the Senate yesterday.
The Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee, Mr Dave Sharma MP stated, "This Report seeks to build upon the success of the Pacific Step-up and identify further prospective areas for deepening and strengthening Australia's engagement in the Pacific."
"At a time of intensifying geopolitical competition and growing global challenges, especially that of climate change, fostering and strengthening Australia's relationships with the Pacific has assumed a new importance and urgency."
The Committee made several recommendations, including:
- that Australia lead a large-scale, multi-year post-COVID-19 aid and recovery package;
- that Australia builds upon labour mobility schemes to provide better career development options and permanent residency pathways;
- that support for climate change mitigation and adaptation be a high priority in Australia's immediate regional assistance program;
- that the Federal Court of Australia's judicial capacity-building programs in the Pacific continue to be supported;
- the creation of a dedicated Pacific component to Australia's permanent migration intake, akin to the New Zealand model;
- expanding Australia's media and broadcasting footprint in the Pacific, recognising this is a key element of soft power; and
- exploring ambitious proposals for deeper integration, such as a long-term compact of free association
Further information about the inquiry, including the report, submissions, transcripts, and responses to questions on notice, can be found on the Committee's website.
