Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak in support of this motion. The member for Jagajaga's motion moves that the House acknowledge the importance of Australia's role as a member of the Pacific family and recognises the reinvigorated engagement of the Australian government in this region, including through the significance of recent ministerial visits to the Pacific which have reiterated our shared priorities. Further, this motion recognises and applauds the numerous Pacific countries that have positioned themselves as world leaders in their commitment to addressing the growing challenge of climate change, noting its existential threat and potential consequences, including increased likelihood of extreme weather events; limited access to fresh water; changes to dominant industries, such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism; increased coastal erosion; inundation; and detrimental impacts upon biodiversity. This motion, therefore, welcomes the government's commitment to act on climate change to seek to protect further generations within Australia and abroad.

The challenges faced by our Pacific neighbours are significant and, without international support, may seem impossible. However, longstanding ties between Australia and the Pacific, evidenced through our cultural, social and economic connections, places us in a prime position to build upon our existing partnership and establish a genuine friendship founded on respect for our mutual pursuits. The threat posed by climate change in the Pacific is no longer speculative; it is imminent. In the nine years between 2011 and 2020, close to half of the people in the Pacific were impacted by a major disaster. In 2015, over 180,000 people in Vanuatu were effected by Cyclone Pam, and the following year Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston devastated Fiji.

I travelled to Vanuatu in the 2017-18 summer, hired a car and spent time around the other side of the main island, particularly the northern part of the main island, Efate, which was well away from resorts and tourist accommodation but was the area where Cyclone Pam certainly hit hardest. It was devastating to see that, years after Cyclone Pam, school halls and churches were still covered in tarpaulins—in fact, they were becoming threadbare—and the ring road was still washed away in so many places. I felt at that time that Australia was not doing enough to work with Vanuatu to rebuild and build back better, and I feel that, for years, we have largely forgotten or overlooked our Pacific neighbours and that we have not valued these relationships as we should.

I've visited Fiji many, many times. Outside of Mayo, it's probably the place in the world I feel most at home. And we can learn so much from the Pacific island nations. They are resourceful, and they care for each other in ways that I wished we cared for each other in Australia. Villages are tight-knit communities. They are welcoming and generous. They deeply value their elders. And family is everything.

The Pacific is facing the brunt of climate change. I therefore urge members to consider the potential consequences of inaction and the associated outcomes, with projections anticipating a thousand-fold increase in storm surges across this region by the end of this century.

In recent times, we've seen the ease with which international relationships can deteriorate, highlighting the importance of consistently fostering and valuing connections. As a member of the Pacific family, Australia must rise to this challenge and we must work with our neighbouring nations. This is not about working for them; it's about working with them. They are sovereign nations, and we must work in true partnership to ensure that these vibrant island communities have secure and prosperous futures.

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