This report, authored by Richard Herr and Anthony Bergin, suggests that with rising Chinese influence in the region, the US appears to doubt that Australia can deliver on South Pacific issues.
The Pacific Island members of the United Nations now meet under the rubric of the Pacific Small Islands Developing States that excludes Australia.
The Melanesian Spearhead Group has backed fellow member Fiji against Australian sanctions. The MSG doesn’t include Australia.
Australia is losing influence over collective decision-making in the South Pacific.
Australia should re-gather the threads of regional leadership.
Continue reading ‘Our near abroad: Australia and Pacific Islands regionalism.’
You can watch Anthony Bergin discussing this paper on ASPI’s YouTube channel.
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