Pacific diplomacy
Exclusive
Foreign aid
The World Bank head has thoughts on the Pacific – and needs Australia’s help
Ajay Banga will make the first visit to Pacific Island nations by a World Bank leader in almost 50 years.
- by Peter Hartcher
Latest
Analysis
Analysis
Why are our leaders so loose in the Pacific?
Anthony Albanese’s hot-mic moment wasn’t like Peter Dutton’s joke about Pacific nations going underwater, but US official Kurt Campbell’s remarks were tantalising.
- by Matthew Knott
Albanese’s anger over hot-mic moment ‘unedifying’: Coalition
The prime minister jokingly suggested the US could share the cost of Australia’s $400 million Pacific police partnership deal, widely seen as countering China.
- by Matthew Knott
‘Godsend’: Australia wins support for policing pact to counter China
Anthony Albanese has locked in support for a far-ranging Pacific policing pact designed to counter China’s growing security presence in the region.
- by Matthew Knott
Australia looks to sideline China in ‘far-reaching’ Pacific policing deal
Australian officials hope the ambitious Pacific-wide policing pact will help stymie Beijing’s energetic efforts to gain a security foothold in the region.
- by Matthew Knott
Exclusive
Marine life
The ex-PM, the treasure hunters and the deep sea
Scott Morrison has taken a new role at a deep-sea mining fund linked to AUKUS tech and treasure hunters, as pressure grows on Australia to oppose the controversial new mining frontier.
- by Sherryn Groch
Exclusive
Foreign relations
Australian officials ‘pulled out all the stops’ to halt China-PNG policing deal
The revelation about the proposed policing deal, discussed before Anthony Albanese visited PNG, underscores Beijing’s determination to gain a security footing in the Pacific region.
- by Matthew Knott
Pro-China Solomons leader Sogavare steps down after ‘awful’ election result
Manasseh Sogavare, who alarmed Australian officials by aligning his nation closer to Beijing, will not run for another term as Solomon Islands prime minister.
- by Matthew Knott
Exclusive
China relations
Criminals infiltrate the elite taskforce formed to stop drugs landing in Australia
An elite Fijian police unit working with Australia and New Zealand to fight surging drug trafficking in the Pacific may have been compromised by a powerful criminal syndicate.
- by Nick McKenzie
Exclusive
China relations
Australia pays controversial Chinese company millions for Nauru’s new port
Despite a patchy track record, including allegations of bribery, the Beijing-backed company is delivering a major project for the tiny Pacific nation, which is a major focus in the competition for influence in the region.
- by Nick McKenzie
Call for new ‘foreign’ battalion to fix defence recruiting crisis
The federal government has flagged it wants to expand options for foreigners to serve in the Defence Force, with Pacific Island recruits top of the list.
- by Matthew Knott
Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/topic/pacific-diplomacy-1n4y