Senator Nick Sherry, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, has met with Prime Minister of Vanuatu the Hon Edward Natapei MP and Vanuatu’s Finance and Economic Management Minister the Hon Sela Molisa MP for important bilateral discussions in Port Vila.
Australia has political, economic and security interests in Vanuatu, a large resident and visitor population and broad links at commercial and community levels.
”The Rudd Government is committed to a strong renewal in Australia’s relationship with Vanuatu and a new era of cooperation with the whole Pacific region. Prime Minister Rudd’s visits to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Niue this year underscored this through practical initiatives such as our new Pacific Partnerships for Development program, and our commitment to PACER Plus and regional economic integration,” said Minister Sherry.
The bilateral meeting, the first between the Rudd Government and the new Prime Minister, included discussions about the impact of the global financial crisis on Australia, Vanuatu and the region and how the turmoil might affect demand for exports and tourism in Vanuatu.
”Australia remains committed to working with the Government of Vanuatu to promote economic development, trade and capacity building – even in the face of the global financial crisis.
”I discussed the Pacific Partnerships program, where we are looking to start negotiations shortly, with the aim of concluding a new bilateral framework, setting out mutually-agreed objectives and priorities, by March next year.”
”In addition, the Prime Minister and I also discussed the Rudd Government’s recently announced Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme which will seek to contribute to regional economic development and benefit citizens of Pacific nations like Vanuatu as well as fill seasonal labour gaps in our rural and regional areas,” Minister Sherry said.
The scheme will begin as soon as the end of 2008 and will allow workers to stay in Australia for up to 7 months in any 12 month period. Detailed implementation is currently the subject of Australian Government consultation with Pacific island partners like Vanuatu, industry and regional groups, and unions.
”Australia also strongly supports the negotiation of a ”trade plus” comprehensive regional economic integration agreement (”PACER Plus”) designed to boost trade opportunities for Pacific island countries and build links with Australia, New Zealand and the wider regional community.”
”Australia is committed to working with our neighbours in the Pacific to create a more prosperous and sustainable future, thus reducing aid dependency,” Minister Sherry said.
Australia is also the largest aid donor to Vanuatu and provides assistance in areas such as health, education, economic governance, public sector reform and transport infrastructure.
Minister Sherry was in Vanuatu as leader of the Australian delegation at the Forum Economic Ministers (FEMM) annual meeting also held in Port Vila.