Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Henderson for her question. Firstly, I want to recognise the honour I have been given and to reiterate that there has never been a more important time for Australia to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners across the Pacific. The impact of the global pandemic on the economies of our Pacific neighbours has been profound, and the risk to their health systems is acute.

The pivot of Australia's development program in response to COVID-19 has been unprecedented. The government's Partnerships for Recovery strategy provides the whole-of-government framework for our response. It is tightly focused on health security, stability and economic recovery in the Pacific, Timor-Leste and South-East Asia. Australia's 2020-21 ODA budget is fully aligned with this strategy, with an estimated $1.44 billion for the Pacific—a record high. The government is also providing $304.7 million for a Pacific COVID-19 economic response package. This targeted, temporary funding for two years is in addition to Australia $4 billion ODA program and delivers critical financing to mitigate fiscal crises, maintain essential health services, sustain aviation connectivity and protect the most vulnerable.

We have restarted Pacific worker employment programs to boost economic activity and incomes for Pacific families and Aussie farmers. These programs not only provide work for our neighbours; they support Aussie businesses who face their own losses if we do not act. The Pacific step-up means working with our Pacific partners to build a region that is secure strategically, stable economically and sovereign politically. Together these programs show Australia's support for the Pacific not only as the leading contributor of aid in the region but also as a neighbour, a partner and a friend in these difficult times.