Pacific nations secure more funding for climate and aid
Australia will provide further support to Pacific nations, including funding for upcoming climate change summits and tax breaks for some rugby league players.
Tuesday’s federal budget included more than $335 million in aid across the Pacific.
The bulk of the funding will go towards development assistance measures for Nauru, including $167.3 million over the next four years and around $50 million a year thereafter.
The funding will come into play from 2027, when an existing aid program expires.
The Pacific will also receive $147 million to host events as part of the UN’s annual climate summit.
Pacific countries will help host conferences ahead of the summit, including a leaders’ event.
Hosting rights fell to Türkiye through a diplomatic compromise after Australia and the Pacific made a joint bid to host the UN summit, but Pacific countries are hosting events ahead of the main meeting.
Security across the region will also be strengthened with $5.5 million to protect against money laundering, crime and terrorism financing.
A further $550 million will be allocated to climate change resilient infrastructure in the Pacific and Timor-Leste over the next decade.
Rugby league diplomacy is also central to the Pacific budget; players sign for the PNG Chiefs in the NRL and club staff are exempt from paying taxes.
The sweetener will add $5.4 million in tax revenue over the next four years.
ABC will also receive funding, earmarking $14.1 million to increase media distribution and engagement in the Pacific.
With continued support for Ukraine, aid outside the Pacific was also included in the budget.
Tax exemption for Ukraine will also be extended for two years until 2028.
All goods from Ukraine will be able to enter Australia duty-free, except for products such as alcohol, fuel and tobacco.
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