QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:06): Thank you for your question, Senator Ciccone. I appreciate the opportunity to update the Senate on the Vuvale Union and the Ocean of Peace Alliance. These two treaties are some of the most comprehensive and important endeavours Australia has undertaken with any country.

They are grounded in our two nations' shared trust, respect and responsibility. The Vuvale Union's three pillars—security, economies and people—will underpin our relationship with Fiji for generations to come. The Ocean of Peace Alliance, our mutual defence treaty, commits Australia and Fiji to come to each other's aid in times of greatest need.

We are saying that we will be there for one another. The government's credibility and reliability with Pacific partners is why we now count Fiji and Papua New Guinea as Australian allies. These agreements are milestones in the Albanese government's work to secure Australia's future in our region, because a stronger, safer, sovereign and more prosperous Pacific benefits every Australian.

I have spoken publicly about the permanent contest Australia finds ourselves in, and we cannot be complacent about this. Advancing our national interests requires sustained effort. Just last week I was back in Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting, continuing the government's work to advance Pacific priorities and our shared interests.

We know how important it is that Pacific countries work together to ensure the future of our region is determined by our region's countries and peoples. With new alliances with Papua New Guinea and Fiji, the Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu, our Falepili Union with Tuvalu and the Naoero-Australia Treaty, Labor continues our work to deliver a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Ciccone, first supplementary?