Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is set to arrive in Fiji on Tuesday as the Albanese government nears a landmark security and economic agreement with the Pacific nation, part of broader efforts to counter China's growing influence in the region.
Vuvale Union Treaty Progress
Wong, alongside Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy, will travel to Suva for a three-day visit focused on fuel security and strategic ties. The pair are expected to advance negotiations on the Vuvale Union treaty with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and cabinet ministers.
Since Labor's 2022 election victory, Wong and Conroy have intensified engagement across the Pacific amid concerns that China is leveraging funding for major infrastructure projects and services, including policing, to expand its influence.
Energy Security and Supply Chains
The visit will include discussions on energy security and disruptions to global supply chains caused by the war in Iran. Wong and Conroy will also meet with Baron Waqa, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat.
Fiji is scheduled to host a pre-COP31 summit in October, part of a negotiated settlement between Australia and Turkey over hosting rights for the major climate event in November.
Australia's Commitment to the Pacific
Wong emphasized the enduring partnership between Australia and Fiji, stating that it helps keep the Pacific region "secure, stable and resilient." She added, "Strengthening our ties with Fiji is a key part of Australia's broader commitment to the Pacific, grounded in listening, partnership and long-term collaboration."
Conroy welcomed the opportunity to progress the Vuvale Union, particularly efforts to combat organized crime in the region. "We recognise that after climate change, transnational crime is a top security threat for the region," he said. "That's why we'll discuss how Australia can support a coordinated regional response to transnational organised crime."
Regional Security Deals
Australia has utilized regional security agreements to lock in cooperation with countries like Tuvalu and Nauru, while also upgrading diplomatic ties with Papua New Guinea to a formal alliance. This strategy emerged after the Solomon Islands government signed a secretive security agreement with China in 2022, which caught the Morrison government and New Zealand "off guard."
Vanuatu Deal Delayed
However, efforts to secure the Nakamal agreement with Vanuatu were blocked in September last year due to concerns among government ministers about infrastructure funding promises from China. Despite a visit from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2023, Vanuatu's leader, Jotham Napat, confirmed the delay was related to Vanuatu's desire to continue seeking infrastructure funding from other countries.
China and Vanuatu are currently negotiating their own deal, known as the Namele agreement. Napat described it in April as a "comprehensive development cooperation agreement" rather than a security pact. Beijing has provided millions for upgrades to government buildings in Vanuatu, including an $86 million gift to renovate the prime minister's office last year.
Labor hopes to finalize a deal with Vanuatu soon. A previous security agreement signed in 2022 was never formally ratified by Vanuatu's parliament due to concerns over lack of consultation and consistency with the country's non-alignment foreign policy.
