Vanuatu will be exempt from increases to Australia’s international student visa fees, following the inaugural meeting of the Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Committee in Canberra last week.
The Vanuatu delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Management Johnny Koanapo, and included Minister of Youth, Justice and Community Services Job Andy. They were welcomed by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy MP.
The Nakamal Committee is a bilateral forum established under the Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Agreement to oversee its implementation. The agreement elevates the two countries’ relationship and deepens economic, security and people-to-people cooperation.
The Committee agreed on early priorities, including budget support, stronger policing cooperation, climate cooperation and support for communities affected by El Niño and volcanic ash.
On infrastructure and economic transformation, the delegation met with the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) to discuss maritime and aviation infrastructure and rebuilding in Port Vila, Santo and Tanna. Both sides committed to the early delivery of two renewable energy and water projects for remote schools and communities in Vanuatu.
On security, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful, stable and secure Pacific and Pacific-led approaches to security. Vanuatu reaffirmed that, under the Nakamal Agreement, Australia is recognised as its longstanding primary policing partner. Vanuatu also said its policing arrangement with China is time-limited and expected to reduce, while the Nakamal Agreement is legally binding and enduring.
On cultural connections, the delegation received a Welcome to Country led by Aunty Serena Williams and met with Australian South Sea Islander representatives and Australia’s Ambassador for First Nations People.
They reflected on the shared history of blackbirding and discussed ways to strengthen connections between First Nations, Australian South Sea Islander and ni-Vanuatu communities. Acknowledging this shared history, deepening dialogue and strengthening cultural connections are central to the Nakamal Agreement.
DPM Koanapo also held separate bilateral meetings with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, and Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke.
Australia confirmed that Vanuatu would be exempt from increases to international student visa fees, for which Koanapo thanked Burke. He also thanked Burke for the Australian Government’s commitment to protecting the rights of Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workers.
Both countries agreed that the inaugural meeting marked an important step forward and reaffirmed their commitment to working as equal partners, guided by mutual respect, trust and understanding, leading up to Vanuatu’s 50th anniversary of Independence in 2030.
The full statements on the meeting’s outcomes are available from the Vanuatu Prime Minister’s Office and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade….PACNEWS