Overview
Australia sees the Pacific as family. We share an ocean and a future as custodians of the Blue Pacific Continent. Our relationships with Pacific countries are longstanding and enduring, based on true partnerships, respect and friendship. These relationships are central to Australia's national interest and identity, recognising our shared geography, history and culture and the deeply interconnected nature of our region's peace, stability and prosperity.
The Australian Government is undertaking a series of initiatives to further deepen our engagement with the Pacific. We are working together with our Pacific partners to build a region that is strategically secure, economically stable and politically sovereign.
Defence’s enhanced engagement in the region is driven by the priorities of Pacific Island nations; and builds on our enduring commitment through the Defence Cooperation Program and the Pacific Maritime Security Program.
Key Terms
Pacific Step up
The initiative, no longer know as the Pacific Step up, has since evolved to deliver a coordinated whole-of-government approach to the Pacific, demonstrating the security and stability of the the South Pacific and Australia are deeply intertwined.
Defence Cooperation Program
The Defence Cooperation Program supports Australia’s strategic interests and its defence relationships with Papua New Guinea , Indonesia, Timor-Lesté, the South West Pacific, South-East Asia, Pakistan and the Middle East.