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The Australian government has announced an increased presence in relations with Pacific Island countries, as part of the 2023 federal budget.
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Outlined in the budget on 9 May, the federal government will provide $1.9 billion over five years from 2022–23 to expand the nation’s engagement with Pacific Island countries.
That funding includes $370.8 million over four years to expand the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme from 2023 to 2024, with existing funding partially met from current budgets and redirecting funding from “Support to the Pacific and Timor-Leste – additional support”.
More than $1.4 billion in funding will also be committed over four years to build Pacific peace and security under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
The provision of security infrastructure and maritime security follows recommendations outlined in the recently released Defence Strategic Review that Australia needed to step up defence engagement with Pacific Island countries.
The budget has also listed initiatives to promote the Australian Federal Police and the Attorney-General’s Department in strengthening Pacific law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation with Pacific partners.
More than $114.3 million in funding over four years would support a stronger, more united Pacific region with supporting regional architecture, a regional approach to humanitarian relief, disaster preparedness and improvement of diplomatic capability.
More than $89.5 million would be provided over four years to deepen Pacific connections by strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties with the region and promote shared values.
In addition, the federal government announced it will fund $37.4 million in 2022–23 for Australian Defence Force deployments. This includes funding to assist the Solomon Islands government to maintain stability and security under Operation Lilia, additional surveillance in support of the Department of Home Affairs’ Operation Sovereign Borders, and support for the Vanuatu government following Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin in March 2023.
The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) has welcomed the 2023–24 federal budget measures towards improving Official Development Assistance.
ACFID chief executive officer Marc Purcell said the funding is both responsible and sustainable.
“Australia must be seen to be walking the talk on being a good global citizen,” said Mr Purcell.
“Pacific countries are telling us that climate change is the top issue they would like Australia’s involvement in.
“There are numerous and compounding crises around the world, hunger — drought, conflict, and the lingering impacts of the pandemic — development spending is as important as defence.
“Military hardware alone doesn’t buy us peace. We now need the government to demonstrate they will rebalance resources in development and diplomacy, in order to create the prosperous and stable region that they speak of wanting to see.”
Coinciding with the Australian budget, a recent announcement on 9 May confirmed US President Joe Biden will become the first sitting United States president in history to visit Papua New Guinea.
The US president is expected to visit the country around 22 May to meet Prime Minister James Marape and leaders of the Pacific Island Forum to discuss climate change, maritime resources, and economic growth, according to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
To learn more about how this year’s federal budget will impact Australia’s national security posture, hear directly from the nation’s key decision makers on the Defence Connect Budget Lunch livestream HERE.
