PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

Fiji Sun

SUVA, Fiji (April 23, 2008) – A new attitude to the South Pacific region is likely to be one outcome of new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's 2020 summit which spent the weekend reviewing Australia's position on everything from childcare to the republic debate. And that's a healthy sign.

One step the Rudd government was urged to take was to establish- and soon- a short stay VISA programme which may even be announced at this year's Pacific Forum in Niue in August. This would allow people from island nations to spend short periods in Australia possibly working in those industries such as fruit picking where Australia is short of labour.

The benefits will be more than financial. As more Pacific Islanders are exposed to democratic institutions and the notion of good governance, both parties stand to benefit. Australia need not be seen as shoving democracy down the throat of a reluctant region while islanders have an opportunity to see democracy at work.

Australia reduces the risk of rogue states emerging on its borders with the security risk that this entails while island states gain remittance payments and more broadly experienced electorates.

Crucially, the summit identified the strong possibility at the South Pacific region in not too many years will take the form of a common market and there too lie benefits and challenges. Market access to Australia and New Zealand has long been a bone of contention among the island exporting nations, with Fiji leading the charge. What it will need to be remembered that free trade is a two- way street.

Fiji must take a role- a leading role- in any such negotiations but as matters stand our opportunities are limited by the aftermath of the 2006 coup. It is vital that Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the Forum find ways to co-operate and heal this running sore that threatens the futures of so many.

Assuming Mr Rudd commits to setting Australia on a much more constructive regional path than his predecessor, a new era could be dawning in the South Pacific.

"Stronger economic integration is absolutely on the agenda (for the South Pacific)" said suniteer and President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions Sharan Burrows who added she was delighted to say that the Pacific was a first order of priority.

She obviously meant the broader Pacific, that Fiji and the region cannot afford to be left aside as this policy strengthens and develops. If Mr. Rudd is able to re-brand Australia as a middle-level tower, Fiji must be part of the regional picture.

Finally, former Australian Defense Force Chief, Peter Cosgrave - no stranger to Fiji- commented that he and Ms. Burrows were impressed by calls for greater labor mobility. "Handled properly and carefully, probably with a development tag attached so people are not just coming in and out, taking a job, getting some money and going home, we need to help develop them and their families." Let's not squander that level of goodwill.

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