Australia's labour mobility and visa programmes for Pacific Islanders are designed to be flexible, allowing sending countries to determine participation and numbers.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong made the statement in response to questions about labour mobility impacting the workforce within the sending nations.

“You are in charge of how that is selected and the numbers. So, if you say to us, ‘We don’t want any next year,’ that’s fine. If you say to us, ‘We want double,’ we’ll see if we can place double,” she said.

She added that the Australian government will work with Samoa to respect cultural and community selection processes.

Wong acknowledged concerns from Pacific governments about the impact of large numbers of workers leaving their communities for jobs in Australia and New Zealand.

“We always want to listen to and work with governments from sending countries because we want these programs to work for you,” the minister said.

The minister emphasised that Australia reserves these programs for Pacific nations. “Many countries want access to our labour market, but we say, ‘Pacific is family, Pacific is our region, we want these programs for the Pacific.’”

The minister outlined options for Samoa, including the Pacific Engagement Visa, which caps participation. 

Samoa opted out of the first ballot but joined the second, allowing a number of Samoans to receive the visa.

The Australian Government will also work closely with Samoa to combat rising drug trafficking in the Pacific region.

Since the beginning of the year, large quantities of cocaine have been caught in Fiji and French Polynesia. Narco-subs have been intercepted and found drifting in the Pacific.

Wong highlighted the need for regional cooperation, noting that no single country can face it alone. 

“One of the things we are seeking to do is have our police and maritime security more joined up. Working together is how we assure our collective and individual security,” she said.

The statement followed the signing of two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between Australian and Samoan authorities, aimed at strengthening policing and maritime coordination.