This report examines Australia’s important ongoing role in the Pacific, in the light of the recently announced 'Pacific Step-up'. In particular, it focuses on the role of civil society, the advancement of the human rights of women and girls, and the effectiveness of Australia’s overseas development assistance programs in supporting these rights.

This paper argues that the opportunistic nature of Chinese foreign policy demands vigilance from Australian policy-makers. It recommends some ways Australia can use its tools of statecraft to mitigate China’s influence and competition.

This report outlines a detailed roadmap showing how the Australian government can play its part in easing the burden on the world’s poorest communities now facing climate-fuelled disasters.

This report and its recommendations reflect the committee’s belief that Australia’s defence relationships in the Pacific are extremely important and becoming increasingly so, and that additional efforts can and should be made to ensure the security of our region in the years to come.

This policy briefing argues that Australia should establish a $2 billion COVID-19 Pacific recovery financing facility, and advocate for other parts of the international community to increase their own contributions, to help the Pacific recover from the worst economic shock in the region’s modern history.