By : Summer Kennard
BRISBANE, Australia (March 17, 2026) — “It’s not only about learning how systems in Australia work, including Parliament and the media, but also about networking with colleagues from across the Pacific,” said Rashneel Kumar, editor of Cook Islands News, as journalists from across the region immersed themselves in Australia’s first International Media Visit.
The seven-day program, launched by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is bringing together media professionals from Palau, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati and Nauru—offering participants a rare opportunity to build connections, exchange ideas and strengthen regional reporting.
For Palauan participants, Elilai Rengiil and Summer Kennard, nominated by the Palau Media Council, the experience has gone beyond observation—opening doors for collaboration and reflection on how journalism can better serve Pacific communities.
The program began in Brisbane with a Welcome to Country ceremony led by Refiti, a descendant of the Turrbal people, who performed a traditional song. Rhan, a Kooma and Kunja man, followed with a didgeridoo performance, grounding participants in Australia’s Indigenous culture. The day concluded with a shared experience at a National Rugby League match, allowing delegates to connect informally.
On the second day, journalists stepped inside the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Brisbane headquarters, where they met reporters, toured the newsroom and engaged directly with media professionals. Conversations with ABC journalist Liam Fox and producers of “Nesia Daily,” a podcast focused on Pacific and Australian stories, gave participants practical insight into storytelling approaches that resonate across borders.
Delegates also visited the Pinkenba Training Hub, supported by the Australian Federal Police, where they learned about the Pacific Policing Initiative and the Pacific Police Support Group. The program highlighted regional cooperation in law enforcement, including participation by Palauan officers and support for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau.
A visit to an Australian Aid humanitarian warehouse further expanded participants’ understanding of disaster preparedness and response—an issue that directly affects many Pacific nations. Journalists explored how aid is mobilized and coordinated across the region and globally, offering story angles that connect local experiences to international systems.
For Elilai Rengiil, editor and journalist at Tia Belau, the visit provided both inspiration and a critical lens on Pacific media practices.
“It’s important to learn different perspectives and see how our media aligns with what’s being done in Australia, especially in covering press conferences and engaging with the government,” Rengiil said. “It also shows where we may need to grow, such as having better data on our diaspora and understanding how our people abroad support communities back home.”
Participants said the program is helping them identify shared regional challenges—such as drug trafficking, climate change and disaster response—and explore how collaborative journalism can address them.
By fostering connections and exposing journalists to new systems, the initiative is equipping Pacific media professionals with tools and partnerships that extend beyond the visit.
The delegation is scheduled to continue to Canberra on the third day, where they will visit Parliament House as part of their ongoing engagement with Australia’s institutions.