Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has doubled down on the country’s commitment to the Pacific, pledging increased development assistance, stronger regional partnerships, and sharper climate targets during a visit to Fiji this week. Standing alongside Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite, she described the Australia-Fiji relationship as one based on “respect, trust and delivering for our people together.”
“Fiji and Australia are family. We have a Vuvale Partnership… and that means a lot to the people of Australia,” said Wong, praising Fiji’s warm welcome and reiterating Australia’s position as “the largest and most comprehensive development partner in the region.” She noted that Canberra had lifted its aid to the Pacific to over $2.1 billion, with almost half of Australia’s total development program now focused on Pacific nations.
On climate, Wong was direct about Australia’s complex past and ambitious present. “We have been, historically, a very fossil fuel dependent economy,” she said. “I often liken it to a large ship being turned.” She pointed to Australia’s legislated emissions targets and its 82 per cent renewable energy ambition by 2030, describing it as part of a broader economic transformation. “We remain committed to that. That of itself will take a substantial effort,” she said.
Wong acknowledged frustration across the region that Australia has not gone far enough, particularly on halting fossil fuel expansion. “There is no switch where we flick off hydrocarbons and turn on renewables,” she said, pointing instead to the increasing number of renewable energy projects being approved under Labor. “You have to change your generation sources, but also your transmission system,” she added, highlighting the scale of infrastructure change needed both in Australia and across the Pacific.
But she was equally insistent that the burden of emissions cuts must be shared. “We will not hold to the targets 1.5, even 2 degrees unless all major emitters contribute… China is the world’s largest emitter, its actions will determine whether we can achieve our target.”
Wong also confirmed Australia’s strong contribution to the Pacific Resilience Facility, a homegrown regional initiative designed to buffer island nations from the growing climate crisis. “We asked Pacific leaders: what do you want us to contribute to? What do you need?” she said, explaining why funding was shifted from global institutions like the Green Climate Fund to more regionally designed programs.
New aid initiatives were also rolled out. Wong announced an additional $4 million to support Fiji’s HIV response and broader health infrastructure, including a new clinical services plan to be launched at Suva’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital. “We want to work with you to prevent the spread of HIV, as well as to improve treatment and reduce harm,” she said. The visit builds on last year’s engagement with Prime Minister Rabuka and reflects growing cooperation in health and development.
Matt Thistlethwaite, accompanying Wong on his first overseas trip in the new assistant ministerial role, stressed the symbolic importance of choosing Fiji as his first destination. “It highlights the importance of the relationship to Australians and the Australian Government of our family in the Pacific,” he said.
Thistlethwaite, who hails from a coastal electorate in Sydney with deep Indigenous connections, spoke personally about the need for stronger climate and ocean protections. “I went diving off the coral coast… one of the most fragile reef ecosystems in the world,” he recalled. “I am very, very passionate about ocean conservation.” He added that Australia’s First Nations, known as the Saltwater People in his electorate, have shaped his understanding of stewardship and responsibility to the sea. “They’ve taught me the importance of working with Indigenous communities to protect those valuable assets.”
He also welcomed the opportunity to meet with Fiji’s Great Council of Chiefs and explore shared knowledge and traditions with Pacific First Nations.
Wong faced pointed questions on the PALM (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility) scheme, including ongoing concerns around workers’ living conditions and the risk of exploitation. She said the government remained committed to improving protections and outcomes. “We want the PALM scheme to work for you, for your country and your people,” she said.
As a Labor government, she noted, “we represent working people. Our history is in the labour movement… we always work to try and ensure workers are well treated, that they are properly paid, that health and safety is observed—and we’ll continue to do that.”
She emphasised improvements made with union input and employer cooperation, and the introduction of new training pathways in aged care and childcare. “We see this… as part of our broader economic and people integration,” she said. “We want to make sure we keep reforming it to benefit your people and your economies.”
Asked whether Australia will fill the diplomatic and aid vacuum left by the United States in the region, Wong was unequivocal: “We’re here to stay… we take our membership of that family seriously.” She confirmed that around 75 cents of every aid dollar from Australia is now directed to the Pacific. Fiji alone received $123 million in the most recent year.
Wong also addressed issues related to the legal kava trade, reassuring Pacific exporters that the pilot programme will continue despite some domestic concerns. “We know there’s demand for it and we know how important it is to your industry,” she said, while acknowledging the complexity of state-level rules within Australia.
Asked about growing drug concerns in Fiji, she confirmed that Prime Minister Rabuka had raised the issue and that Australia would continue joint work across law enforcement and health. “There are many fronts on which that problem has to be tackled,” she said, referencing cooperation with the Australian Federal Police.
Finally, Wong reiterated Australia’s commitment to diversity—at home and in its development footprint. “Our Parliament, our Cabinet, our Labor Government is a demonstration of the diversity of Australia and we believe it is a strength,” she said. “We bring that belief to our development program and we’ll continue to do so.”
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