Australia is strengthening security ties with Tuvalu as leaders build on a recent, landmark treaty.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host Feleti Teo in Brisbane on Friday as the Tuvalu leader continues a trip around Australia.
The leader of the island nation has met with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Pacific Minister Pat Conroy to discuss how to build on the Falepili Union treaty signed in November last year.
The union is aimed at boosting people ties, support on climate change and a groundbreaking arrangement to provide 280 Tuvaluans with special visas to Australia every year, as their nation sinks beneath the warming ocean.
It also allows Australia to provide Tuvalu with a defence guarantee under its treaty, but this has sparked controversy and concerns about Tuvalu’s sovereignty, as Canberra was given exclusivity on security arrangements.
Senator Wong signed a subsequent agreement and memorandum of understanding during her visit to Tuvalu in May that outlined the nation’s sovereignty after Teo raised concerns when coming to office earlier this year.
The federal government on Wednesday also announced a $40 million commitment to support aviation and connectivity in Tuvalu.
Australia has also helped to deliver the Pacific nation’s first undersea telecommunications cable, climate change adaption projects and budget support.
A new Guardian-class patrol boat will also be delivered in the coming months.
This visit follows the Pacific Banking Forum, which took place in Brisbane, where the Commonwealth pledged an extra $6.3 million in funds to bolster banking infrastructure in the region.
