VCE Politics 2026 Unit 4 AOS 2: 'Australia in the Indo-Pacific'

What is the AUKUS agreement and what are its benefits for Australia?

AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership, announced in September 2021 to deepen cooperation between Australia, the UK and the US. For Australia, it brings benefits in military deterrence, national security, interoperability and strategic competition.

How much is the AUKUS agreement expected to cost?

An estimate between 268 billion- 368 billion USD, with three different phases and the first submarine delivery to Australia expected in the early 2040s. As of 2026, Australia has paid $1.6 billion to the US with $10 billion in total expenditure.

What are some of Australia’s foreign policy objectives?

Protect Australia’s security, promote economic prosperity, strengthen relationships in the Indo-Pacific, support a rules-based international order, and act on climate change and regional resilience.

What is the Vuvale Union between Australia and Fiji?

A treaty signed in July 2026, providing skills and training opportunities for Fijians.

What was the Ocean of Peace agreement?

A military and security agreement made in 2026 between Aus and Fiji, with Australia committing more than 1 billion AUD over 10 years.

What is one security agreement made between Australia and the Solomon Islands?

The bilateral security treaty signed in 2017, authorising Australia to deploy federal police and the defence force (contributing to regional stability). Since 2022 Australia has provided an average of $180 million per year in aid to the islands.

When did the Solomon Islands sign a security agreement with China?

In April 2022. This agreement challenges Australia’s foreign influence.

What is a non-security agreement between Australia and the Solomon Islands?

The Australia-Solomon Islands Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029. It involves bilateral development cooperation.

Why are the Solomon Islands important to Australia?

The Solomon Islands are only 2,000 km from the Australian coastline, and two way trade between the two states was $390 million in 2023.

What is the relationship between Australia and China like?

China absorbs $196 billion in exports from Australia. It makes up 25% of Australia’s trade, with a trade relationship worth AU $326 billion. There is a free trade agreement. ‘Cooperate where we can, disagree where we must, and engage in the national interest.’- Albanese 2024.

What is the Australia- Papua New Guinea security agreement?

Australia and Papua New Guinea have a bilateral security agreement signed in December 2023. The agreement involves collaboration in military training, joint exercises, police cooperation, humanitarian exercises etc. It is not a defence alliance.

The is the PukPuk Treaty?

A treaty signed between Australia and Papua New Guinea in July 2026. It is PNG’s first alliance. Australia spent an estimated $707 million between 2025 and 2026 in official development assistance, with over $4 billion spent on PNG since 2020, making Aus its largest aid donor.

What is the Pacific Rugby League Partnership?

An agreement between Australia and Papua New Guinea made in July 2026, in which PNG will receive its own NRL team in 2028, w/ $600 million in support from the Aus government.

What is the Pacific Islands Forum?

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What is Australia’s relationship with Indonesia like?

Indonesia is Australia’s second most visited overseas destination, and 9th most common nationality of foreign students. *

What is the QUAD agreement?

A strategic partnership involving Australia, Japan, Indonesia and the United States. Promotes the international rules-based order.

What is the Five Eyes Agreement?

Chinese criticisms **

What are some reasons for Australia/China hostility?

Covid and the trade war, Huawei, Five Eyes,