AUSTRALIA has reaffirmed its commitment to the Pacific with a record increase in official development assistance (ODA) and a $3.2billion pledge for the 2025–26 financial year.
The Australian High Commission Chargé d’Affaires in Fiji, Clair McNamara, confirmed the budget reinforced Australia’s commitment to responding to regional priorities.
“This recognises the importance of supporting our Pacific neighbours at a time of heightened regional and global economic uncertainty,” Ms McNamara said
The increased funding includes a new three-year, $117million health resilience package aimed at strengthening health systems and pandemic preparedness in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
“We will work with regional countries, including Fiji, to determine how this is allocated in the coming months,” she said.
Australia also announced a $259m investment in Climate Resilient Communities, which will integrate climate change objectives across its development programs.
In Fiji, the funding would help reduce flood risks, improve water governance, and strengthen early warning systems.
This builds on Australia’s existing support for projects such as the Nadi Flood Alleviation Project and the Pacific Resilience Facility.
Additionally, Australia has allocated an extra $5m to maintain HIV programs in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and the Philippines.
Ms McNamara confirmed that DFAT would collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to determine critical priorities for HIV support.
“This will build on the existing funding we already deliver. Fiji’s HIV support allocation has yet to be finalised, but we are working closely with the HIV Taskforce to determine priorities for this additional funding,” the diplomat said.
Meanwhile, in an interview with ABC News, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong addressed concerns about the potential impact of reduced USAID funding in the Pacific, stating that she had asked her department to assess where such reductions might be most problematic.
“Look, obviously we’ll continue to engage with the US in our region, as we always do,” Ms Wong said.
“Part of what we do with the United States is in relation to the Pacific. Because obviously, we have been an ally who is most closely engaged with the Pacific.
“We are part of the Pacific family, part of the Pacific Islands Forum, and of course, we’ll continue to do that.”