Politics Aus in the Indo-Pacific

Politics U4AOS2

2021 Pacific Islands forum

2021 the Pacific islands Forum made a declaration on “preserving maritime zones in the face of climate-related sea-level rise.”

Pacific Island Boe and Kainaki 2

Pacific island leaders have also issued landmark declarations Boe in 2018 and Kainaki 2 in 2019 calling for ‘urgent’ and ‘transformational’ climate action.

Vanuatu perspective quotes

After the approval of the North West Shelf, Vanuatu's minister called the project extension  a “slap in the face” for PICs.

“We have continued to make it very clear to Australia that we expect them to stop approving any new oil and gas projects”

Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s special envoy for climate change, said Australia was “not acting in good faith”

“As the world’s third largest fossil fuel exporter, the Australian government is exporting climate destruction overseas.”

Australia ineffective

Coal exports make up 26% of global coal exports.

Natural gas exports make up 21% of exports.

The coalition government would review Australia’s 43% cut to emissions. It would also expand gas production, and slow the shift to renewables while building seven nuclear reactors.

The Australian government approved the extension of the North West Shelf gas project to 2070.

Cuts to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have weakened the ability of Australia to engage substantively with the Pacific. Cut by 20% from 2017-2019.

Australia Boe declaration

Australia committed to the Boe Declaration 2018.

Boe Declaration “We reaffirm that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific and our commitment to progress the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Australia on climate change

"climate change [is] the greatest shared threat”.

Australia Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference

Australia hosted the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Brisbane in 2022.

Australia AUKUS

2021 AUKUS agreement

Anthony Albanese as “the single biggest leap” in Australia's defence capabilities in history

Australian COP26

COP26 saw the Australian government pledge $2billion in climate finance, doubling its previous commitment. This funding aims to help developing countries, particularly in the Pacific, adapt to climate change and build climate resilience for infrastructure.

Australian Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea Aid Program 2023-24 established by Australia allocated $621 million in aid to PNG, making it the single largest recipient of Australian ODA.

Australia remains Papua New Guineas largest trade partner of over $5billion.

Australia Indo-Pacific bilateral donor

Australia stands as the Indo-Pacific largest bilateral donor, having spent $18.8billion of a committed $20.6billion in aiding pacific island states in establishing climate resilience.

Australian Humanitarian Partnership Disaster READY Program

The Australian humanitarian partnership disaster ready program, which provided $100million into strengthening pacific island states disaster preparedness and resilience.

Australia impacts of tariffs

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stating “friends don’t impose tariffs on one another” exports to the US dropped by 18%.

Chinese bound exports increased by 12% in the agricultural sector.

 “a blow to regional trust” according to Australia's then foreign minister, Marise Payne

Australia aid to Fiji

Fiji who received $16.5million in humanitarian and relief aid following Cyclone Harold.

Australia Trilateral relationship (US Japan)

Australia committed to The Trilateral Strategic Dialogue with America and Japan in 2022, involving regular minister level meetings to pursue a shared defence and cooperation agenda.

Australia China trade ties

Australia deepened trade ties with China in 2024 accounting for almost a third of Australia's exports at $312billion. 

Australia Tuvalu Falepili Union

Australia committed to the Falepili Union with Tuvalu, providing Tuvalu citizens with visa pathways to escape the country's climate crisis

Pacific Minister Pat Conroy on the Falepili Union treaty “It is a world's first approach to a relationship between two countries.”

Australia Green Climate Fund

$3billion contribution to the Green Climate Fund

Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership

$7million pledge to the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership.

Australia economic contribution to military

The Albanese government investing an additional $50.3 billion into the Australian Defence Force (ADF)

Australia military operations

Participated in Talisman sabre in partnership with America and PNG. Over 30,000 participants.

“Exercise Talisman Sabre reflects a shared commitment to enduring relationships between trusted allies and partners, and a peaceful, stable and sovereign Indo-Pacific.” Chief of the Defence Force.

Participates in Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea.

Australia COVID aid

COVID 19 Vaccine 2021-22. Australia delivered over 60million vaccines to Indo-Pacific states, including 16million to Indonesia, under the Partnerships for Recovery Initiative.

Australia PIC trade

2020 PICs represented 80% of Australia merchandise trade and 18% energy trade

Australia RCEP

RCEP Participation 2020. Australia signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, trade deal covering 30% of global GDP and strengthening economic ties.

Australia India trade ties

Australia-India Economic cooperation and Trade Agreement 2022. Eliminated tariffs on 96% of Indian exports to Australia and 85% of Australian exports to India.

Australia Solomon Island aid

Solomon Island Aid 2021. Australia provided $17 million in stability and policing assistance, alongside security development.

Australia Tuvalu aid

2025-26 Australia committed $47 million in development assistance for Tuvalu, including climate adaptation, telecommunications infrastructure, health and education.

Australia Gov4Res

Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific (Gov4Res) $6million 2024-2026.

China challenging Australia relationships

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Cook Islands and China. Australian concerns over South Pacific Chinese military bases.

In 2022, for example, Solomon Islands signed a security deal with China to allow naval vessels to be based there – effectively allowing a Chinese military base on Australia’s doorstep.

Chinese perspective

"Australia deliberately infringed upon China's rights in the South China Sea and provoked China.” Mr Zhang.

China's Navy chief has told his Australian counterpart that Australian actions in the past year have "run counter to the general trend of peace and stability" in the disputed South China Sea.

IPEF

The Biden administration established the Indo pacific economic framework (IPEF)

fourteen regional partners including Australia.

IPEF claims to have “set the highest standard for… green energy and resilient supply chains”

reduced component costs by 4-6% for all partaking states