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We discussed at that forum the need to reengage with the Pacific, we do have an era of strategic competition within the region. PRIME MINISTER: Well, we've been talking at the Quad about increased economic engagement, we announced an economic engagement for the Pacific, which Australia, the United States, Japan and India are all a part of. KARVELAS: How long has this announcement been in the works, the US announcement, did Australia ask the United States to make this new investment? Was that sort of the substance of those talks at the Quad? This is something I discussed with President Biden, at the Quad Leaders’ Summit and again at Madrid and I welcome the United States reengaging in a much stronger way in our Pacific neighbourhood. We welcome the United States stepping up as well with increased support, increased diplomatic presence, increased infrastructure, investment, and of course, the Biden administration's position on climate change, which is very consistent and cooperative with where we've been headed. And one of my messages will be that our support for the Pacific doesn't come with strings attached. It's a new era, and it's a new era of cooperation.
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The truth is that the Pacific Islands Forum hasn't met for three years, but when it did last meet, there was real conflict between Australia's position and our Pacific Island neighbours because of the former government's intransigence when it came to climate change. Today, I'll be having meetings with Prime Minister Sogovare of the Solomons, with my friend Frank, who I've got to know quite well, the Prime Minister of Fiji, who's hosting the summit and other Pacific leaders and it will be an opportunity to have one-on-one, face-to-face discussions, which is so important to build those relationships. And I've already had discussions with a range of our Pacific neighbours on the phone. PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's real engagement with them. So it's just the beginning, right? Because they want more ambition? KARVELAS: Interesting language you use, an entree to get through the door.
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As well as of course, our position on climate change is something that's really an entree to get through the door of credibility with our Pacific Island neighbours because for them, it's a threat to their very existence. PRIME MINISTER: My message will be that Australia is back reengaged with the Pacific, that we have a suite of measures of support for maritime security and protecting their fishing stocks, through to action on climate change and infrastructure, our $525 million additional development assistance. What will your message be to those Pacific leaders today? KARVELAS: You fly into a meeting with a group of leaders being pulled in opposite directions by Washington and Beijing. Prime Minister, welcome back to breakfast.ĪNTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Patricia. He's just moments away from wheels up on route to Suva and he joins you now.
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Our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be among the leaders gathering for the summit. Vice-President Kamala Harris will address the Pacific Islands Forum today, after Washington announced two new embassies would open and hundreds of millions of dollars of support would start to flow. PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: The US has confirmed a dramatic pivot back towards Australia's neighbourhood, boosting support for Pacific nations in a bid to counter China's growing influence.