Australian Regional Leadership Initiative visits to the Pacific

Explore Australian aid and development in the Pacific

ARLI learning tours of Australia’s development program in the Pacific have visited Papua New Guinea (2015, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2026), Solomon Islands (2018, 2023), Fiji (two trips in 2022) and Vanuatu (2024). Below you can learn more about Australia’s development relationships with these Pacific neighbours.

Papua New Guinea 

Snapshot

Papua New Guinea (PNG), located in the Pacific, has a population of approximately 11.8 million and a GDP of $28 billion. It gained independence from Australia in 1975. Australia is PNG’s largest aid and development partner, providing $637.4 million in support annually. Learn more through our PNG Aid Briefing, the Lowy PNG Overview, the DFAT PNG Factsheet and AusDevPortal summary of investment in PNG.

Deep Dive

Explore critical insights into aid and development challenges and opportunities from NGO policy papers, including the Unseen and Unsafe Report and Oxfam’s Accountable Governance and Resilient Development. Discover youth-led initiatives in the Lowy Institute’s Emerging Leaders, Enduring Bonds: Australia–Papua New Guinea Relations, and learn more from the Australia-Papua New Guinea Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029.

ARLI trips

Trips to PNG (2015, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2026) provided participants with firsthand exposure to impactful aid and development programs, including CARE’s Coffee Industry Support Project, the Rapidly Improving Standards in Education (RISE) program led by Save the Children and the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project in Pari Village, led by Water for Women.

ARLI trips to PNG have been joined by : Sam Birrell MP, Susan Templeman MP, Fiona Phillips MP, Ash Ambihaipahar MP, Libby Coker MP, David Feeney, Ewen Jones, Sam Dastyari, Andrew Broad, Hon Tim Watts MP, Ellen Whinnett, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Hon Damian Drum MP, Hon Madeleine King MP, Ann Sudmalis MP, Michael Koziol, Josh Burns MP, Senator the Hon Nita Green, Rex Patrick, Hollie Hughes, Katie Allen, Senator Dave Sharma, Alex Ellinghausen, Hon Simon Birmingham, Dr Mike Freelander MP, Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Hon Michael McCormack MP, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston and Dr Sophie Scamps MP.

Solomon Islands

Snapshot

The Solomon Islands, an archipelago in the Pacific, has a population of approximately 720,000 and a GDP of $1.6 billion. It gained independence from the UK in 1978. Australia is its largest development partner, with support focused on health, education, and disaster resilience. Learn more through our Solomon Islands Aid Briefing, the DFAT Solomon Islands Factsheet and AusDevPortal summary of investment in Solomon Islands.
 

Deep Dive

Explore critical insights from Australian NGOs and thinktanks:

1. Weathering the Storm: Addressing Debt and Climate Vulnerability in the Pacific by Caritas Australia (2024).
2. Beyond Barriers: Solomon Islands Case Study by the Humanitarian Advisory Group, the Australian Humanitarian Partnership and World Vision (2022).

For more analysis, review the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Aid Map: Solomon Islands. Australia’s strategic priorities are detailed in the Australia-Pacific Regional Development Partnership Plan 2025–2029.

ARLI Trips

The 2018 and 2023 ARLI trips showcased transformative projects:

• Fred Hollows Foundation’s Regional Eye Clinic at the National Referral Hospital, restoring vision for thousands.
• Library For All’s launching of a primary school, enhancing literacy through digital resources.

ARLI trips to Solomon Islands have been joined by : Trevor Evans, Hon Julian Hill MP, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Derryn Hinch, Hon Milton Dick MP, Susan Lamb, Chris Crewther MP, Annika Smethurst, Sally Sitou MP, David Smith MP, Senator Karen Grogan, Senator Tammy Tyrrell, Hon Kevin Hogan MP and Naomi Brooks (vice Senator Jordan Steel-John). 

Fiji 

Snapshot

Fiji, an archipelago of over 330 islands in the Pacific, has a population of approximately 900,000 and a GDP of $5 billion. It gained independence from the UK in 1970. Australia is Fiji’s largest development partner, focusing on health, education, and climate resilience. Learn more through our Solomon Islands Aid Briefing, the DFAT Fiji Factsheet and AusDevPortal summary of investment in Fiji.

Deep Dive

Explore critical insights on the development context in Fiji:

1. Fiji Cash Assistance Project - FinCap (2022), providing a detailed report and case studies from Save the Children’s Cash Assistance Project. 
2. Local champion inspires budding aquaculture farmers (2021) details how agribusiness development research is leading to economic benefits for local farmers.

For more analysis, review the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Aid Map: Fiji. Australia’s strategic priorities are detailed in the Australia-Fiji Development Partnership Plan 2024–2028.

ARLI Trips

In 2022 ARLI took two delegations to Fiji, a group of parliamentarians and a group of Australian community leaders. The trips to Fiji showcased innovative projects:

• Rise Beyond the Reef’s Sustainable Income Projects, empowering rural women through eco-friendly crafts.
• Lekutu School Official Opening, part of Australia’s education infrastructure investments.

The ARLI learning tours of Fiji were joined by : Perin Davey, Helen Haines MP, Senator the Hon Jess Walsh, Hon Darren Chester MP, David Van, Paul Osborne, Virginia Haussegger AM, Dr Emma Watkins, Larry Kamener, Dr Anika Molesworth, Stephanie Brantz, Elisabetta Denton and Lisa Minogue .

Vanuatu 

Snapshot

Vanuatu, an archipelago of 83 islands in the Pacific, has a population of approximately 320,000 and a GDP of $1.1 billion. It gained independence from France and the UK in 1980. Australia is Vanuatu’s largest development partner, focusing on disaster resilience, health, and education. Learn more through our Vanuatu Aid Briefing, the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Aid Map: Vanuatu, the DFAT Vanuatu Factsheet and AusDevPortal summary of investment in Vanuatu.

Deep Dive

Explore critical insights on Vanuatu’s development context:

1. Wokbaot wetem kalja: culture and disaster management in Vanuatu (Naupa, Huffer & Organo, 2024) examines the need for integrating cultural systems to disaster risk management. 
2. Vanuatu: Women-Led Climate Resilience and Adaptation (ActionAid) presents gender responsive alternatives for climate change in Vanuatu. 

For more analysis, review the Green Climate Fund’s overview of its Vanuatu community-based climate resilience project (VCCRP). Australia’s partnership with Vanuatu is further detailed here. 

ARLI Trips

The 2024 ARLI trip to Vanuatu highlighted transformative projects:

• Burnet Institute’s Hepatitis B Prevention Program at Imere Clinic, reducing vertical transmission through community health worker training.
• Malampa Counselling Centre (MCC) supported by Australia’s aid and development program, this program provides critical counselling services to survivors of violence and helps prevent violence against women and girls.

The ARLI learning tour of Vanuatu was joined by : Hon Michael McCormack MP, Hon Sharon Claydon MP, Angie Bell MP, Hon Dan Tehan MP, Senator Steph Hodgins-May and Sarah Ison.