PM spruiks Pacific duty of care ahead of key summit

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has emphasized Australia's responsibility to support the success of Pacific nations ahead of a crucial summit. He is set to meet with regional leaders in Palau for the Pacific Islands Forum amid escalating tensions in the area. The visit comes after Australia signed a security agreement with Fiji, upgrading the partnership to a formal alliance as the country aims to counter Chinese influence in the region.

Albanese stressed that enabling Pacific nations to prosper would also benefit Australia. During a speech at the Queensland Labor conference, he stated that addressing the Pacific's significant challenges requires solutions tailored to the region by the region, with Australia playing an essential role as a partner and leader.

In the current era of strategic competition in the Pacific, Australia's participation in the Pacific Islands Forum and contributions to the region's infrastructure, security, and climate action are more vital than ever. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Australia's commitment to supporting Pacific workers participating in the country's immigration scheme. This comes amidst recent debates on how the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme would be affected by proposed immigration cuts.

Albanese argued that the migration discussion was causing division and that the PALM scheme was crucial for the Pacific economy. He highlighted that Pacific workers contribute significantly to Australia's prosperity through their labor in industries like agriculture and meat processing. The remittances sent home by Pacific workers also bolster the economies of their families and communities, further enhancing the region's stability.