by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Australia plans to spend a larger share of its foreign aid on its neighbors in Asia and the Pacific islands after the United States announced major cuts to development and humanitarian aid abroad. Three-quarters of Australia’s total overseas development aid will directly benefit the Indo-Pacific region, which is a 40-year…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor As Australia braces for its upcoming federal election, the implications of the electoral outcome extend far beyond its shores, particularly for the Pacific Island nations. The election pits the ruling Liberal-National coalition against the opposition Labor Party, and pivotal issues related to foreign policy, climate change, and regional security take…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor ANZ bank.Since 2020, several Pacific island nations have been struggling with the fallout from Western banks, cutting long-term relationships and closing operations. Big banks operating in the Pacific will receive a decade-long loan guarantee of more than AU$2 billion (NZ$2.19b) to maintain their operations and avoid relying on China. The…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Trump administration’s decision to eliminate more than 90 percent of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funding means “nothing’s safe right now,” a regional political expert says. President Donald Trump’s government has said it is slashing around US$60 billion in overall US development and humanitarian assistance around the…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor As the geopolitical landscape in the Pacific region evolves, Australia is grappling with the ramifications of recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid that are expected to significantly impact several nations within its sphere of influence. The reductions, which reflect a shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities, have prompted urgent discussions…
In a significant development for regional security, Australia has entered into a new agreement with the Solomon Islands aimed at expanding the capabilities of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF). Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese jointly revealed the initiative, which they describe as a pivotal…
Richard Sanders ,Staff Writer The heads of six Australian states will miss a reception for King Charles III when he arrives Down Under, while the British monarch has said he would not oppose the former prison colony declaring itself a republic. While Australia has been fully independent since 1986, its titular head of state is…
from Solomon Islands PM and Cabinet Office A high level Government delegation comprising Ministers and backbenchers will leave the country this weekend for various strategic engagements in Australia. Led by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Hon. Bradley Billy Smoky Rodo Tovosia, the 14 member delegation is down for…
by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer Australia has announced a commitment of over AU$68 million for the next five years to enhance and broaden engagement in the broadcasting and media sector across the ” Indo” Pacific region. The ABC will receive approximately $40 million as part of the ”Indo-Pacific broadcasting strategy” to increase its Pacific-focused content,…