Australia's Relations with Pacific Islands: Economic, Strategic, and Diplomatic

Introduction
In today’s world of globalized world order, no country can afford to keep themselves isolated
from other parts of the world. It is an era of inter-dependence and mutual cooperation, where
a country thrived upon strong bilateral and multilateral engagement with the world. In this
given context and background, this write-up is going to deal with Australia’s relations with
Pacific Islands, which is not a country in itself but a group of many small countries scattered
over pacific ocean which mostly lies eastern border of Australia. Australia’s relations with
these countries are very important not only in terms of economic view point but also in terms
of strategic and diplomatic.
The Pacific island states operate on a small scale, and are influenced by their colonial
master. This region is highly diverse, local identities are strong and national cohesion is
weak. Economically the pacific region’s people are dependent on others or some kind of
overseas help. And here, comes the role of their regional economic superpower, Australia.
Australia’s relations with these pacific islands has gain even more significance after the
Chinese growing influence in this region and their engagement with these Pacific island
countries in terms of economic support and other help in building infrastructural facilities and
putting billions of dollar to help create these social infrastructure. Their sole objective of
doing this is seems to influence and make proximity over these strategically located
countries and expand their military and economic ambition. Australia is obviously the proper
response of this intervention who is active in this region since past many decades and they
are helping pacific islands in terms of monetary and technical assistance.
Australia and Pacific Island countries relations can broadly be categorised in three parts,
these are:
 Economic Relations,
 Strategic Relations and
 Diplomatic Relation
Once, then President of United States asserted and emphasized, during his visit to the
Pacific Island region, “Aussie and Americans like you.” This statement of President, Barack
Obama was delivered while addressing Pacific Island people, was indirect reference to
China’s influence over this region and clear message for local people and stern warning for
China that Australia and American are there to help them (Pacific Island) in their nation
building and strengthen economic, strategic and diplomatic ties. There is whole host of
initiative has been taken by Australian government to strengthen their ties with the pacific
island countries, dealing with all of them will not be possible here in short span of time, but in
brief, I tries to include major aspects of these issues.
Economic Relations between Australia and Pacific Islands:
Australia is a major aid partner in this Pacific region, both multilaterally and bilaterally. In
1994-1995 in major aid assistance to the region Australia donated approximately 460 million
dollar. Australia also has defence co-operation with the region. Except Papa New Guinea,
Australia does not have many economic and trade interest in the pacific region. Australia has
significant investment and trading relation with Papa New Guinea. (Parliament Research
Service, August, 1995)

Australian support to the Pacific Islands is comprised of core funding, assessed member
contributions and additional funding delivered by the organisations for specific programme.
”In 2017, Australia contributed approximately 36% of the budget for the Pacific Islands
Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and 30% of the budget for the Pacific Community (SPC).”
(Australian Government, DFAT)
Australia has provided $ 2 Billion infrastructural financing facility for the pacific region.
Australian have also provided worker mobility programme for pacific worker to work in
Australia.
Australia's Assistance to the Pacific Islands
Item Year No.
Scholarship to Pacific students In 2018 1474
Australian Volunteers in Pacific region Since 2011 1765
Australian students studying in the region (under Colombo Plan) Since 2014 2430
Australian visited and holidayed in Pacific countries In 2017
60000
0
Source: DFAT, Government of Australia, 2018
Strategic Relations between Australia and Pacific Islands:
These island states strategic location have once again brought them in focus due to growing
interest of China in this region, region has varied security and defence importance, which
was earlier diminished after the end of cold war between USA and USSR (Russia & others).
But, the importance of the pacific islands for South East Asian countries remains as ever
before. In spite of their diverse socio-economic and cultural identity, the pacific island states
have benefit in regional cooperation mostly through the South Pacific Forum, which
comprised of the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand. This region has very rich
maritime resources which help them protect through the defence cooperation with Australia,
which also enhances security in the region.
Diplomatic Relations between Australia and Pacific Islands:
Australia is a founding as well as an “active participant in many important political and
technical organisations in the Pacific which have emerged in recent decades to deal with
issues specific to the pacific Islands. These organisations are mentioned below.” (Australian
Government , DFAT)
 The Pacific Islands Forum:
Established in 1971, it is the principal political grouping in the region.
 The Pacific Community:
Its span over many sectors: sustainable development, managing natural resources,
environmental protection, and human-social development.
 The Forum Fisheries Agency:
It as an advisory body for assisting members to maximise benefits through
conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources.
 The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme:
It promotes sustainable development and protects Pacific region's environment.
 Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific: