VISIT TO VANUATU

The Hon Alex Hawke MP, Assistant Defence Minister and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, will today travel to Vanuatu where he will represent Australia at the 5th Pacific Water Ministerial Forum.

 

Pacific ministers will discuss the challenges of providing clean water and sanitation, often to small and geographically diverse Pacific communities.

 

“Effective collaboration is vital in addressing water security issues in the Pacific region,” Minister Hawke said.

 

Minister Hawke will also meet with Vanuatu ministers to discuss how we can continue to build on our strong bilateral partnership, and he will visit Mala Base to see firsthand the deep security cooperation and training occurring under the Defence Cooperation Program.

 

“I look forward to talks with our Vanuatu partners about our work together to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and secure Pacific,” he said.

 

“I will also visit Mala Base to see the strong security cooperation and training conducted under the Defence Cooperation Program,” Minister Hawke said.

 

While in Vanuatu, Minister Hawke will attend a ground breaking ceremony to launch the reconstruction of Port Vila’s Ex-FOL sports complex which will be restored with Australian assistance following the impact of Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015.