Story from this weekend: USAID freeze hits hard at migrant camp on the Thai-Myanmar border www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...

Story on this here, with my colleague Marian Faa
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...

Interesting: during negotiations on this, PNG also agreed to push ahead with tighter screening on foreign investment in critical infrastructure. First flagged during Ministerial Forum last year. Details not yet clear but Chalmers and Ling-Stuckey have exchanged letters on this

Australia announces yet another loan for PNG- this time for A$570 million. Agreement was struck in December, but only made public now (via national interest statement) as parliament returns. Total Aus budget support since 2020 has now topped $3 billion treasury.gov.au/publication/...

Word on this now starting to filter out. Treaty might be more sweeping than Falepili Union with Tuvalu:
- Aus providing $100 mil in budget support over 5 yrs + $40 million for security support
- Aus has to green light any third country involvement in security, banking , telcos

Nauru's President David Adeang meets PM Anthony Albanese in Canberra. The two leaders are expected to sign a "historic" new treaty later today. Exact shape of it is not yet clear, but broad expectation is Aus will provide budget support, Nauru will make commitments on security

Australia has agreed to ramp up policing assistance to Solomon Islands as the govt prepares to unveil a slew of Pacific initiatives- including the widely flagged NRL PNG deal and its pact with Nauru (which will also see CBA replace Bendigo Bank in Nauru)
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

he costs may be yet to come" - very good point here from @sheenagreitens.bsky.social on Yoon's declaration and consequences for the US-ROK alliance

Vanuatu's Special Envoy for Climate Change @rregenvanu.bsky.social says the Pacific is "obviously disappointed" by statements from Australia, US, China + Saudi Arabia at ICJ, and nations which Vanuatu relies on for support (ie Australia, China) haven't acknowledged severity of climate crisis

Here's our live blog on the extraordinary events in Seoul overnight - relief in both Canberra and Washington that Yoon Suk Yeol has lifted a martial law declaration just hours after imposing it, but great uncertainty about what happens next
www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

Trade Minister Don Farrell again says Australia should not "panic" about Trump re-entering the White House. Points to Aus trade surplus with the US, and says he's tried to contact both Lutnick and Jamieson Greer (at this stage it doesn't appear they've returned his calls)

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te is swinging through the Pacific this week, visiting Hawaii, RMI, Tuvalu, Guam and Palau. With thanks to @mhar4.bsky.social and Graeme Smith for their comments. www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

Chinese envoys in Canberra and Suva both striking a conciliatory tone on the Pacific. Xiao Qian says he's "crossing his fingers" that Australia realises China isn't a threat in the Pacific and urges "trilateral or quadrilateral cooperation." Similar message from Zhou Jian in Fiji

Deep in weeds, but here's China-Samoa joint statement as Fiame visits Beijing. Samoa calls Taiwan an "inalienable" part of China + "recognises" Beijing's "reunification efforts." More cautious than Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, which "firmly supported" reunification. Also more careful on GDI/GSI

China's Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian is asked whether he "regrets" Beijing's campaign of economic coercion against Australia. He says yes, sort of. But adds Australia shares blame. He adds "perhaps both countries can become more mature" in managing ties in the future

Latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social Pacific Aid Map is out. As usual, some fascinating data. Quite a sharp drop in ODA (as COVID $$$ winds down) while donors are now lending more heavily, raising risk of debt distress. China continuing to recalibrate its approach www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11...

Dipping my toe rather gingerly and carefully into Bluesky waters. Glitches aside, it's undeniably pleasant and thoughtful here! It's also a real joy to rediscover some familiar faces who have fled the other place- I hadn't realised how much I was missing some of them