SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Closer ties, infrastructure, security on agenda as Morrison tours Pacific

Scott Morrison will talk to Pacific nations about building infrastructure, labour movement and stronger security ties when he visits the region this week.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison
Scott Morrison will become the first serving Australian leader since the 1990s to visit Vanuatu. (AAP)

3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Building infrastructure in Pacific nations, importing labour into Australia and strengthening security ties will be Scott Morrison's focus when he visits the Pacific this week.

The prime minister will land in Vanuatu on Wednesday as the first serving Australian leader since the early 1990s to visit the country.

He will discuss issues around visiting labour hire schemes, as Vanuatu is the largest participant in the recently expanded seasonal worker program.

PM Scott Morrison will talk closer ties and infrastructure on his Pacific tour.
PM Scott Morrison will talk closer ties and infrastructure on his Pacific tour. Source: AAP

"Along with the Pacific Labour Scheme, it's a genuine win-win partnership that helps strengthen both our economies," Mr Morrison said ahead of the visit.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Mr Morrison will discuss closer economic, sporting, cultural and church ties with Vanuatu, as part of his push to centre Australia's foreign policy around the Pacific nations.

He will also mark the official completion of the Port Vila urban development project, a $39 million Australian investment in drainage, public toilets and walking paths.

In meetings with Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, Mr Morrison will also address common security challenges and infrastructure development.

On Thursday Mr Morrison will visit Fiji where he will have to smooth over a diplomatic row over an attempt to strip terrorist Neil Prakash of his Australian citizenship.

Prakash, who is in jail Turkey awaiting trial on terror charges, was born in Melbourne to a Fijian father and Cambodian mother.

Last month, the federal government revoked his rights as an Australian citizen because of his affiliation with the Islamic State terrorist group.

Islamic State terrorist and recruiter Neil Prakash.
Islamic State terrorist and recruiter Neil Prakash. Source: SBS News

However, Fijian officials have rejected claims the Australian-born terrorist is a citizen of their country and accused Canberra of failing to consult them properly.

"We've been dealing with (the Prakash) issue between the governments over the last few weeks, including directly from leader to leader," Mr Morrison told the ABC on Monday.

Labor's shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton's decision had caused "immense embarrassment" ahead of Mr Morrison's trip.

"It's regrettable that we have an incompetent minister in Mr Dutton who seems more concerned about reviving his shrivelled political career than actually dealing with terrorism threats that Australia is facing," he told reporters on Tuesday.

Mr Morrison will also discuss Australian funding to transform the Black Rock Camp in Nadi into a regional training hub for South Pacific militaries, and announce details of a skills training partnership.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world