The Pacific Step-up
On 8 November 2018, Prime Minister Morrison launched the Pacific Step-up Strategy, marking an enhancement in Australia’s foreign policy towards the Pacific Islands. The initiative deepened Australia’s longstanding ties with Pacific nations through increased diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation. Significant financial aid and development assistance were allocated to support infrastructure projects, health services, and education across the Pacific. The investment was designed to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life in neighboring countries. It also included the establishment of the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, allocating $2 billion to support infrastructure projects across the region.
The Morrison Government made it a priority to strengthen Australia's relationships with its Pacific neighbors, highlighting the notion of “the Pacific family." This approach reflected a commitment to fostering regional stability, economic development, and cultural ties, ensuring that Australia remained a supportive and collaborative partner in the Pacific.
Australia increased its diplomatic footprint in the region. New diplomatic missions were established in several Pacific nations, including Palau, the Marshall Islands, French Polynesia, Niue, and the Cook Islands.
Prime Minister Morrison also committed himself to regular personal engagement with Pacific leaders, hosting multiple bilateral visits in Australia and visiting many Pacific countries, including attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu. His approach was characterised by a willingness to listen to Pacific leaders about their priorities, reflecting a shift towards a more collaborative partnership model.
Cultural and people-to-people links were a cornerstone of the Morrison Government’s Pacific Step-up. Educational exchanges, scholarships, and labour mobility programs were expanded to strengthen these ties. The Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme allowed Pacific Islanders to work in Australia - providing economic benefits to both the workers and their home countries.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted additional support measures from Australia, demonstrating responsiveness to evolving needs within the Pacific community. This included health assistance and economic recovery initiatives tailored to help mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.
Stepping up security partnerships in the Pacific
The Morrison Government prioritised security cooperation within the Pacific region. Australia increased joint maritime patrols to help Pacific nations protect their sovereignty and resources.
At the request of the Solomon Islands government in response to civil unrest and security concerns, Prime Minister Morrison established Operation Lilia — an Australian-led mission to the Solomon Islands from November 2023 to August 2024. The mission worked to assist the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force with other international partners to maintain peace and security, support local law enforcement, and foster community relationships — especially during critical periods such as the national election in April 2024. The operation concluded on 31 August 2024 with 1,157 ADF personnel deployed over the period.
Initiatives like the Pacific Maritime Security Program — which provided patrol boats, aerial surveillance support and training to Pacific countries — exemplified this commitment. Defence and security cooperation increased through initiatives such as the creation of the Australia Pacific Security College, the Pacific Fusion Centre and Blackrock Camp, which were designed to improve regional security capabilities. Australia also committed $500 million over five years to assist Pacific nations in investing in renewable energy and disaster resilience - responding to environmental and human security concerns outlined in the Pacific Islands Forum 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security.
Related media:
1. Address, Australia and the Pacific: A new chapter, 08 November 2018: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-41938
2. Press release, Strengthening Australia’s commitment to the Pacific, 08 November 2018: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-41936
3. Press release, Stepping up climate resilience in the Pacific, 13 August 2019: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-42358
4. Press release, Stepping up trade and cultural ties in the Pacific, 11 October 2019: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-42460
5. Address, Pacific Islands Forum, 11 December 2020: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43177
6. Press release, Pacific Islands Forum, 06 August 2021: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-44094
7. Press release, Working together to strengthen regional security preparedness at Blackrock Camp, 14 March 2022: https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-44174
