This week I will travel to Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands on behalf of Australia as we continue to strengthen our enduring partnership with the Pacific.
In Fiji, I will attend the Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders’ Summit as a special guest to discuss our common interests in a strong, secure and prosperous region.
Alongside representatives from the Australian Rugby League Commission and National Rugby League (NRL), I will meet with key stakeholders in PNG to reaffirm our commitment to developing rugby league pathways and establishing a competitive and sustainable PNG NRL franchise for entry into the NRL competition by 2028.
I will also deliver remarks at the 40th Australia-PNG Business Forum to highlight Australia’s support for PNG’s continued economic growth as its largest trading and investment partner.
Further, I will launch the Australia – Solomon Islands Development Partnership Plan with my Solomon Islands Government counterparts.
Solomon Islands and Australia are more integrated than ever, through significant growth in labour mobility and trade. I will also meet with Prime Minister Manele and senior ministers to discuss the depth and breadth of our partnership.
As fellow members of the Pacific Islands Forum, Australia is supporting Solomon Islands for its successful hosting of the 2025 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in September.