Pacific security race heats up as Australia and China court Vanuatu
CHINA has pushed back against Australia’s new security pact with Vanuatu, warning that bilateral agreements in the Pacific should not be aimed at third countries.
Australia
Time for a big idea to secure Solomons partnership
THE Solomon Islands is one of the most contested environments in the Indo-Pacific with respect to China’s political warfare
Vanuatu, Australia sign landmark Nakamal Agreement
AUSTRALIA and Vanuatu have signed a new treaty which will deepen security, disaster response, and economic ties between the two countries.
Reading PALM numbers with care – pay, deductions and hours edition
A PACIFIC worker putting in 30 hours on an Australian farm, earning $AUD937 and taking home just over $100 after deductions, as put to a Senate committee in 2022, became, for many people, a defining image of the Pacific
Australia’s huge nuclear dilemma
THE 2026 Lowy Institute Poll reflects an Australia uneasy about its place in the world.
Why has Vanuatu been dropped from the Pacific visa scheme?
THOUSANDS of ni-Vanuatu hoping to apply for permanent residency in Australia next month are seeking answers after Vanuatu was
Australia on high alert after second bird flu case
AUSTRALIA is on high alert after a second bird tested positive for a deadly strain of avian flu, raising concerns the virus may
Nauru reclaims original name
The Central Pacific republic of Nauru stands ready to return to its original name - Naoero.
Samoan PM – Our youth used by drug cartels
SAMOAN Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt claims the country's youth are being used by international drug rings who lure them with hefty pay checks.
Wale pushes Australia reset, highlights $SBD200m aid
MATHEW Wale says Solomon Islands will continue to work closely with Australia on infrastructure financing while also engaging other partners, including the United States, as it pursues development priorities.
Pacific family framing shapes security talks
TRUST and regional responsibility dominated discussion on security at the Canberra press conference, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale framing future
Canberra visit signals fresh start in Australia–Solomon Islands ties
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale used his first official visit to Canberra to signal a reset in relations with Australia, saying both countries were committed to rebuilding trust after recent strains.
East Timor can’t PALM all the blame off on Australia
JOSE Ramos-Horta, the president of Timor-Leste, for his own political purposes, last week again criticised the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme.
PALM workers unable to re-engage, encouraged to return home
THE Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations says it is aware of reports involving a disengaged Fijian worker in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility
Australia opens green chancery in Tuvalu as ties deepen under Falepili Union
AUSTRALIA and Tuvalu marked another step in their expanding partnership this week with the official opening of a new Australian High Commission Chancery in Funafuti.
PM Wale on Australia visit
THE Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Mathew Wale, has arrived in Australia on his first official overseas visit since taking office.
Vanuatu, Australia to sign strategic pacts
VANUATU will formally sign two major cooperation agreements with Australia and China following months of renegotiation over
Vanuatu, Australia move towards bilateral deal
AFTER months of stalled negotiations and diplomatic friction, Vanuatu’s cabinet has approved a revised version of the
Fiji urged to back community-led HIV and drug response
FAITH and community leaders meeting Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong, in Suva, pressed for community-led action as Fiji confronts a deepening drug crisis and a growing HIV outbreak.
Australia steps in to support Fiji amid fuel crisis
AUSTRALIA announced targeted financial aid to help Fiji manage the impact of global fuel price
Australia eyes security pact with Fiji
AUSTRALIA has started to move towards formalising a bilateral Vuvale (family or household) union treaty with
PRF agreement marks collaboration milestone
AUSTRALIA and Fiji have formally ratified the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), highlighting deep regional cooperation to enhance climate and energy
Kiribati’s initial visa progress: quick wins amid systemic hurdles
KIRIBATI’S inclusion in the second round of Australia's Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV), marking its first year participating in the
