By Katalina Siasau
The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong visited Tonga today and reaffirmed Australia's commitment as Tonga's largest development and security partner and a trusted ally.
Responding to a question from Matangi Tonga about the difficulty of convincing Australians that building climate resilience in the Pacific Islands is worthwhile, Minister Wong replied, “The Australian people voted very clearly for action on climate change."
“We stood in the election, just as we did in 2022, with a very clear position on you know, we will transform Australia’s economy and we will work with the rest of the world in the face of climate change. That was the position we took to the Australian people and the government was returned and we have a responsibility to carry that mandate forward.”
She said in Australia, particularly where she comes from, South Australia, the driest inhabited state on the driest continent in the world, they see the impact of climate change already in terms of rainfall patterns. They see it also with storms happening more often.
Australia is leading a collective bid with the Pacific to hold the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, COP31, in 2026.
Minister Wong noted, "The Pacific peoples are a people who speak with authority on climate, and your voice should be heard in the world.”
Building trust during uncertain times
The Minister is accompanied by Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hon. Matthew Thistlethwaite, visiting the Pacific Islands of Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu, following the Labour government's re-election.
She met with the Prime Minister Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke and Cabinet, including Tonga’s Foreign Minister, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, to reaffirm shared visions and strengthen partnerships.
During their joint media briefing in Nuku’alofa, Minister Wong said the bond between Australia and Tonga is rooted in history, friendship, and a shared vision of the Blue Pacific, "peaceful, stable, prosperous, in which our sovereignty is assured.” She said trust is what Australia values most with Tonga.
Minister Wong further affirmed Australia’s support during these uncertain times. “So in these uncertain times, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Tonga as your reliable partner. Pacific nations can count on Australia, and together we will keep working to assure our region's stability, prosperity, and independence, the Pacific way.”
Millions in commitments
During the briefing, Minister Wong announced further commitments by Australia, including $50 million over four years to launch the next phase of the Tonga-Australia Support Platform and the Health Sector Support Program.
“These are initiatives which will help deliver stronger public governance, better health services, and greater gender equality and all driven by your priorities, Tonga's own priorities."
An additional $5 million was committed as budget support to help strengthen health infrastructure and to help balancing the national budget.
She also announced another $1 million in new community grants, to empower local leaders and organizations to deliver locally-led solutions.
Pacific security
Minister Wong said that the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) members are united on the issue of Pacific security. “…When we together, can decide our own destiny, when we are strong and independent and collaborative with each other, that is when we are all more secure. We are all more secure.”
Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke congratulated Minister Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s successful re-election and also for having the opportunity to visit Tonga.
“I'd like to assure you [of] our commitment to strengthen and also to continue a strong relationship, in terms of partnership and also something that is guided by mutual respect and also common interest, not only between the two countries but also the regions,” Hon. Dr. Eke said.
He thanked the Minister for her strong leadership being exercised in the region and standing up for common values, "It's important, very important... that we have to work together in the Pacific, particularly now.” He said they would look at how we could improve our trade and also in terms of partnership.
He acknowledged Australia’s co-operation in areas, including security, climate change, health, education and also the labour mobility program.
