The South Pacific is becoming a more strategically crowded and contested space. But, despite the strong aid and defence relations Australia maintains with the island states, there’s been little attention given to date to the role of Australia’s private sector in the Pacific islands region.

This evaluation puts forward a strong case for Australia to remain engaged with Asian middle-income countries (MICs), and argues that Australia can continue to build its comparative advantage as a partner in economic and social reform.

Fijians go to the polls this week in only the second general election since a 2006 coup in which the current prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, seized power.

Tropical Cyclone Evan passed over Samoa on 13-14 December 2012 and caused widespread damage. This report evaluates the Tropical Cyclone Evan Recovery and Rehabilitation Programme (TCRRP), which was implemented as budget support, and the Tourism Cyclone Recovery Programme (TCRP) which was implemented as a program.

The release of Australia's Foreign Policy White Paper late last year had been much anticipated, not least because it was the first such paper in over a decade. Notable was that the Pacific island region (including Timor-Leste) had been accorded a chapter of its own.