Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs Richard Marles departed today on his second visit to the Pacific, further underlining Australia’s commitment of friendship with the region.

Mr Marles said his trip to Nauru, Kiribati, Tuvalu, American Samoa and Niue is an opportunity to advance Australia’s objectives of building peace, security and prosperity in our region.

"My visit will underline the depth of Australia’s pledge to our neighbours in the Pacific," Mr Marles said.

"The countries on this visit are among the smallest in our region. Australia is committed to helping them address the challenges of economic and environmental vulnerability.

"There are a number of issues of regional importance to discuss including climate change, efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and implementing decisions from the Forum Leaders' meeting in Port Vila in August 2010.

"I will also have the opportunity to inspect projects funded by Australia, including a new secondary school in Nauru and a centre for children with special needs in Kiribati. In American Samoa, I look forward to seeing how the tsunami recovery is progressing," Mr Marles said.

This trip from 29 November to 4 December 2010 follows the first visits by Mr Marles as Parliamentary Secretary to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, New Caledonia and New Zealand from 5 to 12 October.

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