Australia loosens drug laws in bid to woo Pacific islands

AUSTRALIA’S conservative prime minister took the uncharacteristic step of advocating looser drug laws yesterday, backing greater imports of narcotic kava root in a symbolic gesture to court Pacific Island neighbours.

On a visit to Vanuatu, Scott Morrison said he will allow imports of the intoxicating drink kava, which is popular with locals, as he seeks to forge closer ties with his Pacific neighbours amid growing Chinese interest in the region.

Australia and China have been vying for influence in sparsely populated Pacific island countries that control vast swathes of resource-rich ocean.

Morrison told reporters in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, that Australia would remove restrictions on kava, a mildly intoxicating drink that is embedded in the social fabric of the islanders.

Kava imports to Australia have been restricted since 2007 following concern that some indigenous communities were abusing the drink.

“Kava is culturally very significant, tied into many ceremonies in the region. Easing the restrictions will be welcomed in the region,” said Jonathan Pryke of the Lowy Institute think-tank.

Morrison, who became the first Australian prime minister to visit Vanuatu in nearly 30 years, will travel to Fiji tomorrow as part of a Pacific tour.