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On 16 August 2024, the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade conducted its first public hearing for its inquiry into Australia’s response to the priorities of Pacific Islands and countries in the Pacific.
During the full day public hearing, the Subcommittee heard evidence from diplomatic and regional representatives of Pacific Island countries, international development agencies, and Australian Government agencies including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Defence, the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Chair of the Subcommittee, Mr Josh Burns MP, explained, “we are excited to kick off this inquiry by hearing from a range of voices and delving deeper into some of the issues that have been raised in submissions, including climate change and aid and development.”
“This is not the first inquiry into the Pacific and it won’t be the last. That’s because Australia is part of the Pacific, we have a shared past and a shared future. As the focus of this inquiry is Australia’s response to the priorities of the Pacific, the Subcommittee is eager to use this first hearing to explore the Australian Government’s understanding of, and programs to support, those priorities.”
The Inquiry’s terms of reference include: identifying the key priorities for Pacific Island countries and the Pacific region. It will evaluate the key concerns and aspirations of Pacific nations regarding their economic, environmental, and social development.
According to the Inquiry’s terms of reference, it will “examine the role and capability of Pacific regional architecture and agencies, including in the delivery of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific, and the contributions of external partners to regional development and stability.
Australia’s engagement in the Pacific will be considered along with “alignment of initiatives and policies with the identified priorities of Pacific Island nations”. It will evaluate Australia’s current efforts in supporting the Pacific in areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure development, security and capacity building that enhance Australia’s position as a partner of choice for the Pacific family and identify opportunities for enhanced regional economic integration and mobility.
Another of the major focal points of the inquiry is the assessment of Climate Change Mitigation and adaptation responses in the Pacific. For instance, it will evaluate Australia’s climate support and initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change and assisting Pacific nations in adapting to its impacts and Australia’s role in supporting Pacific nations during natural disasters and national emergencies, including pandemics.
Further information, including the hearing program is available on the Inquiry webpage.
