Ministerial-level appointment demonstrates Australia is serious about the Pacific ^Featured

Australia's Cabinet reshuffle under new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has seen the reinstatement of a ministerial-level representative for Pacific affairs in the nation's parliament.

Steve Ciobo, who last week was the parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs under the previous prime minister Tony Abbott, has been sworn in as Australia's Minister for International Development and the Pacific.

"This new position really reflects and really does underscore the Government's renewed focus on the Pacific, the importance of the Pacific, the value that we place on our international development, and of course our very strong desire to continue building a strong relationship with our near South Pacific neighbours," Mr Ciobo told Pacific Beat.

"It being a ministerial role with a renewed focus, by having less to do with the trade side and more to do with international development in the Pacific, I can have a very strong and clear focus on our Pacific neighbours."

In practice, Mr Ciobo said his portfolio will continue to be in step with the priorities set by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and her department's narrowing of international aid and development to Australia's nearest neighbours.

"My role insofar as it pertains to the Pacific really is to focus on Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia — the countries within that bracket, the relationships that we have, the assistance we can provide," he said.

"We're of course all focused on what we can do to reduce poverty, to enhance stability, to promote growth in the region. We see the private sector playing a key role in that respect."

The Abbott government's stance on climate change had caused significant friction with several Pacific nations, and Mr Ciobo said one of his priorities will be a renewed policy focus on the issue.

"We've had some unfortunate comments that were made, the Minister responsible has apologised for those," he said, referring to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's small talk with Mr Abbott two weeks ago where a microphone picked up his quip: "Time doesn't mean anything when you're about to have water lapping at your door."

Mr Ciobo said "through making it a key priority area, through having a key policy focus on these areas, will all help to reinforce the message that Australia wants to be a very good neighbour, that we see ourselves as sharing the journey in this respect and we all have a responsibility to act accordingly."

Source: Radio Australia