QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:57): Thank you to the senator. I have said that Australia must navigate a world which is more divided and more contested. I think we can all see that.

Strong regional relationships make Australia and Australians more secure. Unfortunately, we lost a decade in the Pacific when the right-wing parties were last in power. They neglected our region, they lectured the Pacific, they mocked their priorities and they failed to show up when it mattered.

Now Australia does face a permanent contest in the region. From day one we have been listening, consulting and responding to Pacific priorities. I travelled to every Pacific Islands Forum member in my first year as Foreign minister.

There has been regular engagement from the Prime Minister, from Minister Conroy, from the Deputy Prime Minister and from many other ministers as well, including Senator Green. We've invested in rebuilding our relationships and we are restoring Australia's standing as a partner of choice for the region, and today's agreement is a demonstration of that. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cox, second supplementary?