Albanese in Fiji to start three-day Pacific blitz
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to sign a major new security agreement with Fiji on Monday; This is the first step in a three-day diplomatic offensive aimed at strengthening regional ties and countering China’s influence in the Pacific.
Albanese was due to arrive in Suva on Sunday night to sign the new “Vuvale Union” with Fijian prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who leads one of the Pacific’s most populous countries. He will then travel to the Solomon Islands on Tuesday to advance negotiations with recently elected prime minister Matthew Wale on a new comprehensive agreement.
Wale, who is also chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum, last month vowed to review the country’s controversial security agreement with China and promised a “reset” in relations with Australia after years of tension and mistrust.
Albanese’s tour of Pacific security talks will continue on Wednesday when the leaders of Papua New Guinea and Tonga visit Brisbane for a Status of Origin decision. Ahead of the match, Albanese will hold bilateral talks with each of the leaders to discuss regional security, trade and economic growth.
“This important series of meetings in Brisbane comes at a time when we are working closely with our Pacific family on issues important to our region,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.
The round of meetings comes as the government seeks to strengthen its position in the Pacific as Australian officials warn the country faces a “diplomatic knife fight” with China in the region.
The agreement with Fiji will be in addition to agreements the government has made with Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Nauru and Papua New Guinea since returning to office in 2022. Australia has sought to use these agreements to limit the ability of Pacific countries to partner with China on critical infrastructure projects such as ports and airports in exchange for financial support and expanded access to visas in Australia.
The latest agreement, the Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu, was signed in Canberra last week after a 10-month delay. Under the $500 million agreement, China will be prevented from establishing military bases in the country, although the original wording was watered down for fear it would limit Vanuatu’s economic ties with Beijing.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett will also address Pacific security during her visit to the United Nations this week, where she will speak at forums with three Pacific police chiefs to outline a proposal for a new regional bloc.
“One of my priorities is to support the views and roles of Pacific Island Police Chiefs who wish to have a greater say in global forums on safety and security issues that concern their region,” Barrett said.
“Pacific police chiefs will also make a decision in October on whether to adopt a new bloc, PACPOL. This will allow them to collectively set priorities with a single voice in global and regional forums.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Australia at the weekend to curb uranium imports and strengthen defense ties with Australia, in a move that will be closely watched by China.
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Natassia Chrysanthos is a Federal Political Correspondent. He has previously reported on immigration, health, social issues and the NDIS from Parliament House in Canberra.Connect with: X or email.
