Anthony Albanese will host a trio of Pacific prime ministers as he tries to bolster Australia’s regional influence amid the creeping threat of China, Australian Associated Press reports.
The bilateral meetings with Papua New Guinea’s James Marape, Tonga’s Lord Fakafānua and Samoa’s La’auli Leuatea Schmidt will be followed by a Pacific rugby league event in Brisbane with all four leaders.
Albanese will also host the prime ministers at the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.
The prime minister has returned from a successful trip to Fiji and Solomon Islands, during which he signed a significant defence pact with Fiji.
The Ocean of Peace Alliance, which could be expanded to other Pacific nations, makes Fiji Australia’s fourth official ally.
Henry Ivarature of the Australian Pacific Security College said continued talks, to expand Australia’s presence in neighbouring islands, signal a new era of strength for the region.
“I think Australia has learned to listen and it has learned to accept the way Pacific governments work. It has been patient,” he said.
But Ivarature said attention would now turn to sustaining trust across a long period. The Brisbane talks will likely focus on expanding military and aid work in the Pacific, as China looms as a geopolitical threat.
