Copy
AUSTRALIAN POLITICAL DIGEST
POLITICS

MORRISON VISITS PACIFIC NEIGHBOURS

Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Vanuatu and Fiji last week, putting into action the Government’s aim to significantly enhance Australia’s engagement with its Pacific neighbours. This is the first visit of an Australian Prime Minister to Vanuatu since 1990, and the first to Fiji since 2006. Mr Morrison announced a series of measures designed to support Pacific security and prosperity, and strengthen bilateral relations. This included partnering on community policing in Vanuatu, increasing visa opportunities for Pacific workers and greater investment in cultural connections. Australian and Fijian leaders signed a comprehensive economic, security, cultural and sporting agreement, fully restoring all elements of the bilateral relationship which had been frozen since the 2006 coup in Fiji. These announcements align with the Pacific-centred foreign policy agenda Mr Morrison announced in November last year; a shift which has been influenced by the growing Chinese economic and military involvement in the region, and following rumours of a potential Chinese military base in Vanuatu. During the visit, Government backbencher and former Minister for International Development and the Pacific Concetta Fierravanti-Wells criticised Mr Morrison’s plans to offer development loans to the Pacific, arguing it is the equivalent of China’s debt trap diplomacy. The visit came amid public dispute between the Australian and Fijian governments over the citizenship status of Australian-born Islamic extremist Neil Prakash, and ongoing debate over action on climate change.

"From where we are sitting, we cannot imagine how the interests of any single industry can be placed above the welfare of Pacific peoples and vulnerable people in the world over."
Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama speaking about the need for Australian action on climate change, during a public event with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

PARLIAMENT ENTERS ELECTION FOOTING

Both major parties have begun unofficial campaigning for the upcoming election, with Mr Morrison and Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten separately travelling to the Northern Territory to announce respective spending commitments. Both leaders promised over A$200 million for Kakadu National Park and the tourist town of Jabiru. These announcements signify a shift in Parliament from establishing broad policy stances to appealing to communities on local issues. This trend will intensify as the election approaches and the leaders continue to travel the country, with focus shifting to more populous and marginal electorates. The week also saw announcements regarding retirements from parliament and new candidates emerge. Most notably, Minister for Women and Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations Kelly O’Dwyer announced she would not recontest election for her inner Melbourne seat of Higgins. The crossbench has also begun preparing for the election, with Independent Cathy McGowan announcing her retirement and former parliamentarian Rob Oakeshott announcing an independent run for the New South Wales seat of Cowper.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announcing the Government’s plan to invest in Kakadu National Park and the town of Jabiru. Source

OTHER POLITICAL NEWS


Investigation of union raid tip-off ends without charges

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions announced it will not pursue charges against anyone linked to a 2017 media tip-off about a police raid of Australian Workers’ Union headquarters. A staffer for then Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash resigned over the incident, although Senator Cash has continuously denied any prior knowledge of the tip-off. 

ECONOMICS

TPP IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESSES

Assistant Trade Minister Mark Coulton travelled to Japan to discuss the potential for new countries to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP11), following reports that the US is re-considering the regional trade deal. Last month, US President Donald Trump signed the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA), a broad strategy on the Indo-Pacific which includes a commitment to multilateral trade agreements. Australia and Japan were the strongest advocates for continuing TPP-11 negotiations after the US withdrew in 2017. Australia would strongly support US membership on economic grounds and as a way of balancing China’s influence.