Australia commits $50m to Tonga

Australia’s Foreign Minister announces a significant AU$50 million (NZ$54m) package aimed at boosting Tonga’s health infrastructure and economic resilience.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong is currently in Tonga, reaffirming Australia’s commitment to Pacific sovereignty.

She says Australia is honoured to be Tonga's largest development and security partner.

“But you know what we value most? We value most your trust,” Wong says. “That is what we value most, that is why we are here and that is why we want to be, continue to be, trusted friends.”

The funding, spanning four years, includes the next phase of the Tonga-Australia Support Platform and the Health Sector Support Program, designed explicitly around Tonga's national priorities.

An additional AU$5 million (NZ$6m) in budget support will specifically strengthen Tonga's healthcare system and assist with critical budgetary pressures.

Wong emphasises Australia's engagement in Tonga and the wider Pacific is driven by a desire to support genuine regional independence and stability.

"We're joined not just by geography, but also by history and by friendship and we are also joined by a shared vision of the Blue Pacific,” she says.

“Peaceful, stable, prosperous, in which our sovereignty is assured and I know Tonga is a nation that has proudly assured its sovereignty, defended its sovereignty over centuries.”

Penny Wong and Tonga's Defence Minister, Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala. Photo/Tonga PM Press Facebook

Tonga’s Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke, who also chairs the Pacific Islands Forum, highlights Australia's role as a vital regional ally.

"Regional security is very important, and we have a very good infrastructure on security,” Eke says.

“ It is's something we're working closely with Australia on because we maintain that kind of security, and I think that's probably something for the Forum…we are actually united together in general, looking after our interests.”

Penny Wong was in Fiji earlier where she met with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, centre. Photo/Penny Wong Facebook

Addressing the broader geopolitical landscape, Wong clearly articulates Australia's stance.

“We're not a great power - we’re not one of the superpowers,” Wong says. “We want a region and a world where our sovereignty is assured - I think that's what Tonga wants.”

Wong outlines Australia's approach to maintaining sovereignty in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

Watch Penny Wong and Dr 'Aisake Eke's press conference below.

“So our question should be, well, how do we assure our sovereignty in a world which is changing? China is more assertive.

“The Trump administration has a particular set of economic policies, which we take a different view on.

“We're a tariff-free country and we're going to stay that way.”