The Forum Trade Ministers Meeting in Majuro on Friday 11 May 2012 noted the importance of preferential access to education in Australia and New Zealand to the development of Forum Island Countries (FICs).

Tonga’s Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries, Hon. Isileli Pulu also Minister responsible for Trade urged Australia and New Zealand to consider a special derogation for Tongan students including those from Forum Island Countries to study and even to work temporarily in Australia and New Zealand through a concessional beneficial arrangement through the PACER Plus negotiations.

Minister Pulu stressed that it has been extremely difficult for a Tongan especially those outside of scholarship sponsored students, to study in Australia or New Zealand primarily due to the high cost of courses, as Tongans pay international student fees. He said that in most cases, these students after paying international student fees stay on to work in New Zealand and also Australia benefiting both countries more than the sending country. The high cost of meeting international student requirements is a barrier to accessing further education opportunities in Australia and New Zealand by students from Tonga and FICs.

The on-going initiatives by Australia and New Zealand's supporting education in Tonga and the region was  fully acknowledged by Minister Pulu, and further emphasized the importance for the PACER Plus negotiations to address this concern. The Forum Trade Ministers also recognized that the Office of the Chief Trade Adviser (OCTA) will raise this issue and the application of concessional and preferential fees to FIC students in Australia and New Zealand educational institutions at the inter-sessional meetings of Forum Trade Officials to begin no later than July 2012. – Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries 14/05/12.