Short-term thinking is often a feature of Australian domestic politics but when it comes to foreign policy, we’ve usually played the long game. Not any more. The Morrison Government is placing 1000 potential coal jobs ahead of its ‘Pacific Step Up’, announced in 2017 to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific.

But, like US engagement with Asia and the UK’s engagement with the EU, Australia’s long and strong relationship with its Pacific neighbours cannot be taken for granted.