Australia’s Labor Says Concerns Over China Shouldn’t Prompt Pacific Involvement

If our engagement in the Pacific has as its goal the strategic denial of China ... we won’t succeed, we will not get policies right. Richard Marles Australia Labor defence spokesperson

Australia’s involvement in the Pacific shouldn’t be prompted by a desire to block China from the region, Labor defence spokesperson Richard Marles says. The Morrison government has announced a AU$5 million (FJ$7.69m deal between Australia and Papua New Guinea to develop a joint naval base on Manus Island, but has remained tight-lipped on whether the project is to prevent China from building a port. Opposition defence spokesperson Richard Marles refused to speculate on the government’s motivations, but said there was no doubt Australia’s strategy would change if China developed a base in the Pacific. However, Mr Marles says the genuine benefit of the Pacific nations should be the focus.

“If our engagement in the Pacific has as its goal the strategic denial of China ... we won’t succeed, we will not get policies right.

“It will be sniffed out with a high degree of cynicism by the countries of the Pacific themselves.” Australia should do more to not only increase Papua New Guinea’s defence capabilities but our overall military co-operation in the region, he added.

“This can be done well, it can be done badly. Diplomacy really matters here.”

Papua New Guinea’s Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island will support four new Guardian-class patrol boats, Defence Minister Christopher Pyne said on Saturday.

“Australia is proud to support the PNG Defence Force in strengthening their maritime security capability, and remains committed to our longstanding partnership,” he said in a statement.