Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Earlier this year the opposition joined then Foreign Minister Bishop and me on a trip to the North Pacific. Obviously, one of the issues under discussion was the North Pacific countries of the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. They have concluded negotiations on PACER Plus, but they haven't yet signed. There was also an issue there in relation to the compact because they are compact countries with the United States. Minister, can you elaborate on where we're at with the North Pacific countries? In particular, can the North Pacific still join PACER Plus if they don't sign the agreement before it enters into force? How does that work vis-a-vis the compact with the United States?