James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Seselja. Can the minister advise the Senate on how Australia is supporting the economic needs of our partners in the Pacific and Timor-Leste as we chart our way back from the COVID-19 pandemic together?

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

Yes, I can. The pandemic continues to have a profound impact on Australia's economy, as it does on our Pacific and South-East Asian neighbours. Economic recovery is a shared challenge, and we must face it together. Australia has continued to be a strong and steadfast partner to nations in our region throughout the pandemic, and all Australians, I think, can be proud of the significant support we are providing to our friends and neighbours.

The economies of the Pacific, especially those reliant on tourism, are suffering badly. Australia is committed to supporting our Pacific family and is ready to respond to new challenges as part of our Pacific Step-up. Through our Partnerships for Recovery, the government has made our highest ever contribution to Pacific development in 2020-21, providing an estimated $1.7 billion to the region. Our funding is supporting the twin goals of health and economic recovery in the Pacific. The funding delivers critical financing to the Pacific and Timor-Leste to help mitigate fiscal crises, maintain essential health services, sustain aviation connectivity and protect the most vulnerable people. Our funding is providing direct financial support to Fiji's budget, which is bolstering social protection schemes for those in need. In PNG, we are supporting a new child nutrition grant, the first social protection payment of its type to be introduced. We've also restarted Pacific labour initiatives to boost economic activity and incomes for Pacific families as well as to support our farmers and industries to meet critical workforce needs. Australia has also directly facilitated the delivery of over a million vaccine doses—which will reach 1.5 million by the end of this week—and over 100 tonnes of humanitarian supplies on more than 400 Australian supported flights.

Our commitment and support to the Pacific and Timor-Leste are deep and enduring, and we'll always support our Pacific family in their time of need.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Paterson, a supplementary question?

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How is Australia working with nations in our region to deliver world-class infrastructure to support long-term economic recovery and grow future prosperity in our region?

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

Through grants and loans provided by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, the Australian government continues to invest in high-quality and transformative infrastructure projects across the Pacific. We're helping Pacific nations to deliver projects that they have identified as priorities for their people, and we are lending on sustainable terms that will not add further debt distress to their budgets.

In Palau, we are financing the Palau submarine cable, which will see fast, reliable, high-speed internet connecting Palau to the world. The Tina River hydropower and transmission system in the Solomon Islands will deliver large-scale clean energy for Honiara and surrounding communities.

In PNG, I recently announced Australian support for the redevelopment of PNG's major ports and the transnational highway—truly nation-building infrastructure which will transform PNG's trade based economy. With a future AIFFP investment pipeline of over $1 billion, Australia is more committed than ever to working with the Pacific nations to support them— (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Paterson, a final supplementary question?

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How is Australian support contributing to economic stability and job creation throughout the Pacific as well as for Australian businesses?

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

Supporting the region's economic recovery is critical to Australia's own recovery and to securing jobs both in Australia and across the Pacific. Pacific labour programs are a high priority for nations in our region and, indeed, are one of Australia's highest priorities for the Pacific. Through the Pacific Labour Scheme and the Seasonal Worker Program, we're providing valuable employment opportunities to more than 14,000 Pacific and Timor-Leste workers, which are not just boosting the workers' incomes but helping to stimulate the economies of the region. These workers are meeting the critical workforce needs of hundreds of Australian businesses in a range of sectors, including horticulture, meat processing, tourism and aged care, just to name a few.

As the Prime Minister announced on Friday at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, we will double the number of Pacific workers in Australia between now and March next year. This is all part of our plan to secure the economic recovery and protect jobs both in Australia and across the region.