Labor will ‘listen to and strengthen’ Pacific region

Labor has pledged a boost to official development assistance and climate infrastructure financing for the Pacific if elected. Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the policies on Tuesday, which she said will ensure “stronger relationships between Australia and countries of the region”. Ms Wong said a Labor government will also “restore Australia's leadership on climate change”. “Labor will draw on the strengths of who we are, and we are a respectful, generous and reliable nation,” she said. “We are a country that many Pacific Islanders call home, and that will always step up in times of need. “We are a partner that will invest in the long-term stability and prosperity of our region, and we are a partner that will actually listen to and strengthen the Pacific family.” The security pact between the Solomon Islands and China, signed last week, has sent shockwaves through the government and opposition. Labor has called it the “worst foreign policy blunder in the Pacific” since the Second World War, and blamed foreign aid cuts and poor climate policy on the Coalition’s part for the deal. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au