Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026

Mr WOOD (La Trobe) (18:58): When it comes to the Pacific islands, the coalition is very much supportive of the government in its initiatives. But, in saying that, we must be very clear: our role is also to keep the government accountable when it comes to the spending of taxpayers' money. That brings me to one of the greatest investments, an enormous $600 million in rugby league in the Pacific, creating an NRL franchise in PNG and dedicating $250 million to growing the league in countries like Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

The problem with that, though, is that, when it comes to Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, they are actually the heartland of rugby union, and now we're hearing that those countries are seeking funding to expand in the rugby union sector. I'd be very interested to hear from the minister whether Australia is now committing extra funding into rugby union. Then we have Nauru, where the prime game is Australian rules football.

Pacific rugby officials and communities have voiced alarm that Australian funding threatens their national sporting culture. There is cannibalising and tightening of the rugby union pool. That's something that we're concerned about here in Australia, because we very much want to support Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

Like I said, $250 million is a lot of money to be injecting. We need to make sure, as it's taxpayers' money, that it's being carefully spent. Then comes the Australia-Vanuatu Nakamal agreement.

The Albanese Labor government's failure to sign the Nakamal agreement with Vanuatu, which now hangs in the balance, reveals the government's preference for making announcements over developing a comprehensive strategy to finalise the agreement. It's a $500 million agreement to help, and it covers the environmental issues of climate change, the economy and security, which is something that we, on this side of the chamber, support.

But, in saying that, the government has been very brash about making special ceremonies for the agreement, but it actually hasn't gone ahead. We're disappointed to see the Nakamal agreement stalled and concerned about reports that there has been foreign interference to derail this agreement. The formal pacts are important, but making sure they are credible and backed by real action is vital.

After months of negotiations and a symbolic initialling ceremony at Mount Yasur, the failure to secure the Nakamal agreement reflects a troubling lapse in diplomatic foresight. The Albanese government has billed this as a moment of renewal in Australia-Vanuatu relations. Instead, it exposes a gap between the rhetoric and the results.

We really need questions to be answered. Can the minister explain why the Labor government failed to finalise and sign the Nakamal agreement with Vanuatu? How does the government reconcile its stated commitment to regional cooperation with Pacific with its failure to formalise the agreement?

Can the minister outline the consultation process undertaken with Vanuatu prior to their decision not to sign the agreement? Does the minister acknowledge that Australia's failure to sign the Nakamal agreement may create a vacuum for other powers to deepen their influence in Vanuatu? What steps is the government taking to reassure Pacific neighbours that Australia remains a reliable and respectful partner?

Was the government aware of Vanuatu's intention to sign a policing MOU with China prior to the Prime Minister's visit? Does the minister acknowledge Vanuatu's decision to formalise policy agreements with China while leaving the Nakamal agreement unsigned signals a shift in regional sentiment? Vanuatu media reported that the total of equipment donations from China was worth around $700,000, which is a fraction of the amount Australia gives to Vanuatu for security.

We, on this side of the chamber, just need answers. That's our role as the coalition. We very much support the government's endeavours in the Pacific region, such as the Pacific banking agreement.

But, in saying that, we need to make sure the local banking on the island is not impacted, especially when it comes to dealings with locals. We need to make sure the government works with those local banking agencies. The Pacific is a very important region.

I know the minister for the Pacific islands is doing his utmost, but we, on this side, need answers to make sure we are accountable for taxpayers' money.