Treaty with Australia a major talking point ahead of Tuvalu's elections

There are calls for the Tuvalu government to focus on talking to it's people ahead of the general elections.

With a population of just over 11,000 in Tuvalu and a government of entirely independent candidates with no political parties, eligible voters in and out of the South Pacific nation will choose their champion in two weeks time.

To the next government, PMN Tuvalu show's producer Fala Haulagi made her message clear: "Please consult with our people because our people are important."

She says the previous government disappointingly failed to speak with the people, evident in the lack of consultation behind the hotly debated Australia-Tuvalu Falepili treaty.

"Our people weren't consulted about any of this until they heard it on the media," Haulagi says.

She says the media in Tuvalu also need to "up their game".

"It's so not fair that our people back home - Tuvaluans - have to hear about this treaty from New Zealand [media].

"The likes of Barbara Dreaver talking about it and Tuvaluans are like 'oh my God, what are they going on about?'"

The treaty promises benefits for Tuvalu citizens such as visas and residency in Australia in exchange for veto rights on the island's security arrangements.

Former PM and opposition leader Enele Sopoaga has promised to scrap the pact if elected, which Haulagi says that being the right move is still to be seen.

She says further details of the treaty should be revealed, which will determine if the scrapping or keeping of it should be supported.

"If it's something that's going to work for our people then I'm 100 per cent behind it. But at the moment I can't say much."

Haulagi also pointed out engaging with the public could encourage more women to apply as MPs.

"We have a lot of good young Tuvaluan leaders. My only concern is around women. We only have one woman MP for quite a while now.

She says a lot of engagement needs to be done with the women of Tuvalu.

"Without our people there is no nation.

"They are the people that put you there to make decisions for them so engage with them."

Watch the full interview via 531pi's Facebook page below: