To bolster regional security connections and counter China’s expanding influence, Australia will invest roughly $1 billion in the Pacific.
In the budget presented on Tuesday, NZ$995 million over four years will be allocated to the Pacific, including over NZ$155 million for security.
The Solomon Islands’ AFP deployment will cost over NZ$49 million, and NZ$33 million will be used to improve aircraft surveillance.
To increase its content and transmission in the Pacific, the ABC will also get NZ$35 million.
The administration has “hit the ground running,” according to foreign minister Penny Wong, but there is still much catching up to be done.
The Liberals and Nationals “slashed Australia’s development assistance over nine pointless years, decreased our influence, and left a void for others to fill,” she claimed.
To preserve our security, our economic prosperity, and to improve the globe, we are working to make Australia the partner of choice for the nations in our region.
“According to Wong, Australia’s assistance will enable regional allies to develop vital infrastructure, be economically resilient, and maintain their own security.
The budget will guarantee a labour mobility programme and add a new visa that would allow up to 3000 residents of Timor-Leste and Pacific Islands to immigrate to Australia each year.
Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said the changes would assist the region and help Australia fill skills shortages.
Following a decade of cuts by the Liberals, he said, “Our additional investment in Australia’s official development assistance will be the biggest increase over four years since 2011–12.”
Australia invests approximately $1 billion in Pacific nations.
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