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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who arrived in Suva, Fiji, this morning, said the government wanted to expand engagement with Pacific labour in Australia.
“Whether that be a permanent migration, a specific program for the first time aimed at the Pacific or whether that be temporary labour,” he said.
“This can be an important way in which we not only have people-to-people relations but we benefit both the economies of Australia and the country of origins of people either visiting or permanently migrating to Australia.”
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is greeted by Pat Conroy after arriving at Nausori Airport, Suva.Credit:JOE ARMAO
Albanese already signalled New Zealanders could be given an easier pathway to Australian citizenship and voting rights, and said the government would adopt a more “commonsense” approach to deporting New Zealand citizens convicted of crimes.
“I want them to be citizens, I want them to be able to participate in all forms of Australian life,” he said.
He said Australia, with the notable exception of our First Nations people, who have been here for 65,000 years, are a nation of migrants.
“We are standing here with the Prime Minister of the name Albanese and Foreign Minister with the name Wong, that’s the nature of modern Australia. And we should, where possible, ensure those paths to permanent migration are available where appropriate.”
He said it was important to engage with Pacific nations in a “respectful way”.
“Our support for this region does not come with strings attached,” he said.
“It comes because we understand that we have a responsibility as an advanced economy in the region to provide support to our Pacific neighbours.”
He also plans to have a ‘respectful discussion’ with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare about their security deal with China when they meet later today.
Albanese said the relationship with Sogavare was “historically an important relationship” and said it would be “even better after this afternoon”. Sogavare recently said the relationship had soured.
“Our view on those issues, we’d be concerned about any permanent presence there in the Solomons and so close to Australia and we don’t think that is in the interest of the region,” he said.
“But we will have a respectful discussion. We respect the sovereignty of nations in the Pacific.”
Later today, Albanese will meet with Prime Minister of Samoa Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and President of the Federated States of Micronesia David Panuelo.