An Australian parliamentary delegation led by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong is visiting Palau this week, a part of their Pacific tour to demonstrate Australia’s bi-partisan commitment to the region.
Parliamentarians accompanying Senator Wong on this visit are Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Honorable Pat Conroy MP, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Simon Birmingham, and Shadow Minister for the International Development and the Pacific, Senator Michael McCormack.
The delegation is expected to meet with President Surangel Whipps Jr. and visit the Belau National Hospital to launch the Tamanu and Tupaia, digitizing the hospital records and data. They will also visit the solar project funded by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.
“I am pleased we are delivering on the Albanese Government’s promise to reinstate bipartisan parliamentary delegation visits, demonstrating Australia’s enduring commitment to strengthening our Pacific partnerships and addressing regional challenges,” said Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the visit.
The last visit by an Australian parliamentarian was in December of 2021, by former Foreign Minister Marisa Payne to officially open Australia’s Embassy in Palau and break ground on the second fiber optic cable landing to Palau funded through a trilateral cooperation of Australia, US and Japan.
While in Palau, Payne announced the financing from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific for a landmark solar energy project in Palau.