The Palau spur cable will be the first project under the Trilateral Partnership for Infrastructure Investment in the Indo-Pacific between Australia, Japan and the United States. It demonstrates a shared commitment to delivering sustainable, transparent, high-quality infrastructure projects in the region. The spur cable will connect Palau to a new cable which will span the Indo-Pacific region from Singapore to the west coast of the United States.

Australia will contribute approximately US$10 million to the Palau cable project. This includes US$1.4 million for a marine survey and branching unit, and a loan of approximately US$9 million from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) to help finance the construction of the cable. Japan, the United States and Palau are also making significant contributions.

This new project builds on Australia’s support to the Coral Sea Cable System, which consists of 4,700km of cable connecting Port Moresby, Honiara and Sydney. Australia is also supporting the scoping of Timor-Leste’s first undersea fibre optic cable, through the provision of financing for the Front End Engineering Design for this important telecommunications project, at the request of the Government of Timor-Leste.

Secure and reliable internet connectivity in the region will open up opportunities to boost tourism, business and investment, and to provide better government services, including health and education.

Australia partnering with Japan and the United States to finance Palau undersea cable

28 October 2020

Australia is partnering with Japan and the United States to finance an undersea fibre optic cable to the Republic of Palau. This project, valued at approximately US$30 million, will ensure reliable, secure digital connectivity in Palau.

The Palau spur cable will be the first project under the Trilateral Partnership for Infrastructure Investment in the Indo-Pacific between Australia, Japan and the United States. It demonstrates a shared commitment to delivering sustainable, transparent, high-quality infrastructure projects in the region. The spur cable will connect Palau to a new cable which will span the Indo-Pacific region from Singapore to the west coast of the United States.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said this project highlights Australia’s close friendship with Palau.

“Australia and Palau have a strong bilateral relationship,” Minister Payne said. “As part of Australia’s Pacific Step-Up, Australia recently opened its first Embassy in Palau. This presence bolsters Australia’s diplomatic network – already the largest in the region of any country.

“We are very pleased to work alongside Japan and the United States to support Palau’s vision to strengthen its global internet connectivity.”

Australia will contribute approximately US$10 million to the Palau cable project. This includes US$1.4 million for a marine survey and branching unit, and a loan of approximately US$9 million from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) to help finance the construction of the cable. Japan, the United States and Palau are also making significant contributions.

This new project builds on Australia’s support to the Coral Sea Cable System, which consists of 4,700km of cable connecting Port Moresby, Honiara and Sydney. Australia is also supporting the scoping of Timor-Leste’s first undersea fibre optic cable, through the provision of financing for the Front End Engineering Design for this important telecommunications project, at the request of the Government of Timor-Leste.

Secure and reliable internet connectivity in the region will open up opportunities to boost tourism, business and investment, and to provide better government services, including health and education.

The Palau project highlights Australia’s strong commitment to the Pacific, as demonstrated by the Pacific Step-up, our A$1.44 billion of aid committed to the region in 2020-21, and the A$2 billion AIFFP. The AIFFP supports quality infrastructure in Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste.

As a Pacific country, and the region’s largest donor, Australia has a strong interest in supporting the region’s prosperity, stability, sovereignty and sustainability.

END OF MEDIA RELEASE

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said this important infrastructure project has been identified as a priority by the Government of Fiji and Australia is proud to work in partnership with our Fijian vuvale.

Infrastructure will play an important role in our region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in creating jobs and opportunities within the private sector.

Australia will provide up to $5 million in financing to support essential catchment management and upstream flood mitigation work. The investment under the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) complements work by the Government of Japan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Australia and Fiji have a strong partnership and a long history of cooperation, as well as shared interests and values. Australia is committed to deepening those ties by stepping up and working with our regional partners to create a stronger Blue Pacific.

PRESS RELEASE

AUSTRALIA SUPPORTING FIJI WITH FLOOD ALLEVIATION PROJECT

Australia is working in partnership with Fiji to mitigate the impact of floods on the major population centre of Nadi in a joint effort to save lives, reduce homelessness and protect the local economy.



The Nadi Flood Alleviation Project will reduce the effects of these regular natural disasters on the commercial centre of Nadi town and on the Nadi flood plain.



Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said this important infrastructure project has been identified as a priority by the Government of Fiji, and Australia is proud to work in partnership with our Fijian vuvale.



"There have been 26 major floods in the Nadi catchment since 1991, which have claimed lives, caused homelessness and wreaked damage on the economy," Minister Payne said. "Australia's investment will support Fiji's efforts to save lives and alleviate future losses to local households and businesses, as well as the broader Fijian economy." Infrastructure will play an important role in our region's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in creating jobs and opportunities within the private sector.



Australia will provide up to $5 million in financing to support essential catchment management and upstream flood mitigation work. The investment under the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) complements work by the Government of Japan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).



Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Alex Hawke MP, said the Nadi Flood Alleviation Project would bring tangible economic and environmental benefits to Fiji.



"Nadi has particular economic significance as the gateway to Fiji, and home to Fiji's major international airport and several large resorts. Nadi was the port of entry for nearly 900,000 visitors in 2019 - a large proportion of which are Australian. Flooding in Nadi town is a significant issue," said Minister Hawke.



As the biggest contributor of development assistance in the Pacific, Australia will remain a steadfast partner in building climate and disaster resilience through COVID-19 economic recovery.



The AIFFP supports quality infrastructure in Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste. This broader $2 billion infrastructure initiative significantly boosts Australia's support for high priority projects in the region in areas such as telecommunications, energy, transport and water.



Australia and Fiji have a strong partnership and a long history of cooperation, as well as shared interests and values. Australia is committed to deepening those ties by stepping up and working with our regional partners to create a stronger Blue Pacific.

END OF MEDIA RELEASE

As Timor-Leste is aiming to build a diverse economy, with opportunities for business and investment, and more jobs for its people, Australia supports the Government’s efforts to improve systems that meet the needs of Timor-Leste in the long-term.  Better access to telecommunications is key to create jobs, to develop a stronger private sector, to increase rural incomes and to ensure more people are workforce-ready.

On 20 July 2017, the Timorese Government signed a two year Option Deed with Vocus, for an exclusive and fully transferable option to reserve capacity on Vocus’ North West Cable System (linking Darwin and Port Hedland) via an existing branching unit, plus the construction of a new spur cable to land in Timor-Leste.

Prime Minister Morrison advised Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sogavare of Australia’s further support for the Tina River Hydropower Development Project through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), in response to Solomon Islands’ request for financing. AIFFP and Solomon Islands’ officials are working to finalise agreements.

This builds on Australia’s support over the last ten years to the Tina River Hydropower Development Project, which will provide electricity to the country’s capital, Honiara.

More affordable and reliable energy will alleviate pressure on household incomes and business costs, and provide opportunities for improved government and community services and entrepreneurship, supporting Solomon Islands’ post pandemic economic recovery.

Using a renewable energy source to produce reliable and sustainable energy will enable Solomon Islands to meet its international commitment for emissions reduction under the Paris Agreement.