PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Ms CLUTTERHAM (Sturt) (11:43): I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the significance of the recent signing of the Australia-Vanuatu Nakamal Agreement; (2) notes that this broad ranging partnership reflects: (a) the meaningful relationship between the people of Australia and Vanuatu, which is built on a desire to support Vanuatu's critical infrastructure development and economic aspirations; (b) the collaborative motivation to build climate and natural disaster resilience for the benefit of both people of Australia and Vanuatu; and (c) the recognition that when the security and sovereignty of Australia and Vanuatu is supported, the Indo-Pacific region enjoys greater stability and prosperity; and (3) affirms the Government's strategic commitment to continue to deepen Australia's security and economic relationships with our Pacific family and Indo-Pacific partners to strengthen the foundations for ongoing and sustainable regional peace and prosperity.
This motion touches on two really important things: firstly, the enduring nature of Australia's partnership with Vanuatu, one that has its foundations in a common vision for the Pacific region based on peace, stability and prosperity; and, secondly, it speaks to the work of the Albanese Labor government—the work that it has done to build, shore-up and then sustainably secure Australia's relationships with our Pacific partners more broadly.
Whether it be regional security, economic growth, disaster response and resilience, climate change, or funding and strategy to combat regional drug smuggling, this government has consistently demonstrated that it stands ready to productively collaborate across the region to deliver economic and security benefits to the people of the Pacific. On 29 June this year the Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Agreement was signed. 'Nakamal' connotes a traditional meeting place where a community and its leaders discuss, consult, make decisions and resolve points of difference with mutual respect, trust and understanding.
It is those principles that underpin this new and strategic arrangement. The four key drivers of the Nakamal agreement are to deepen integration between the parties and their peoples, support Vanuatu's development aspirations and economic transformation, to enhance the climate and disaster resilience of Vanuatu for the benefit of the people of both nations, and to recognise, protect and promote each other's collective security and sovereignty.
When the Pacific region and individual sovereign states within it are economically stable and secure with opportunities for growth and improved living standards, the region itself is more peaceful, stable and resilient and less susceptible to adverse influences. This is why the economic initiatives in the Nakamal agreement are so fundamental to regional stability.
The Nakamal agreement prescribes that Vanuatu's economic aspirations will be enhanced. Firstly, support will be provided to enable Vanuatu's safe and productive participation in the cloud based digital economy, particularly by assisting Vanuatu to improve its cyberliteracy and resilience by providing digital infrastructure and software. With the digital revolution in full swing, without meaningful, scalable and secure access to the digital economies, countries cannot grow and prosper.
Communications, financial transactions, education, entertainment and business are now all conducted within the digital economy, and it's imperative that Australia supports Vanuatu in its quest to be a stronger presence on the global network of economic and social activity. Budget support to assist Vanuatu's economic and fiscal certainty also features in the Nakamal, and, to support a growing economy, an Australian traineeship program with Australian recognised qualifications that support Vanuatu's domestic labour market in demand areas will be developed.
Steps that signal regional security and stability as a priority of both Australia and Vanuatu also feature in the Nakamal, with Vanuatu making commitments to prioritising policing cooperation with members of the Pacific Islands Forum. Australia's role as Vanuatu's primary policing partner is confirmed by the Nakamal, with additional training and equipment for the Vanuatu Police Force and deeper cooperation on maritime and cybersecurity and security intelligence in general.
Vanuatu's commitment to not allow any foreign military bases or infrastructure in its territory, keeping its critical infrastructure free from militarisation, is another demonstration of the importance the Nakamal places on regional security and stability. These sovereign commitments are in Vanuatu's interests, in Australia's interests and, ultimately, in the interests of the entire Pacific region.
Finally, climate change is rightfully recognised in the Nakamal not as an issue to be continually debated but as an issue on which urgent and unavoidable steps need to be taken in the interest of the region. Together, Australia and Vanuatu will advocate for ambitious and appropriate action that reflects the positions endorsed by the Pacific Islands Forum. A stronger, safer and sovereign Pacific is good for Australia, and it is good for our region.
It's only this government that has proactively done the work to shore up the foundations that deliver this. It's meaningful action, taken time and time again, by government determined to protect Australia's national interests on the regional and global stage. (Time expired) The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Georganas ): Is there a seconder for the motion?
Mr Matt Smith: I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.