Morrison Must Act Urgently on PIF Instability

05 February 2021

SENATOR PENNY WONG
LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
LABOR SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

PAT CONROY MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE PACIFIC
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
MEMBER FOR SHORTLAND

 

The Morrison Government must work to strengthen and unify the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as a matter of urgency.

With Palau announcing its intention to leave the PIF and reports that other nations, including Micronesia and Nauru, are considering their membership, it’s clear the future of this key Pacific body is at risk.

Strong regional cooperation and collaboration are essential for meeting the challenges that the countries of the Pacific face.

A strong and united PIF has never been more essential to ensure our stability, prosperity, and sovereignty – especially in the context of a global pandemic and growing strategic concerns.

The Morrison Government cannot stand by and let this key Pacific body collapse.

It must take immediate action to strengthen the PIF and to help resolve the differences that have emerged over recent months.

Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.