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

( COVID-19 poses extraordinary economic risks to our region. To support regional stability, including our own, the Australian government is stepping up our economic response. Across the Pacific, we are delivering over $300 million in grant funding to support economic recovery. Nearly $200 million of this has already been delivered. In Fiji we are bolstering social protection schemes for the most vulnerable. In Timor-Leste we're building water systems, roads, bridges, health clinics and schools. Our work has also enabled the restart of the Pacific Labour Scheme to help Australian farmers and Pacific economies. Nearly 8,000 Pacific workers have arrived in Australia since September 2020. Our loan financing is taking effect, too. Just last week, we signed financing agreements with the Solomon Islands government for the Tina River transmission system. Our support, worth approximately $60 million in total, will help deliver renewable energy to Honiara. This is vital work that is supporting our region's and our nation's economic recovery.