Australia-New Zealand travel bubble with Fiji and Pacific islands ‘can counter China’

Canberra and Wellington have already agreed to a ‘trans-Tasman bubble’ – now calls are increasing for a ‘trans-Pacific bubble’ too

This could boost Canberra in its ‘strategic competition’ with Beijing for hearts and minds, but one-upmanship could end in game of ‘whack-a-mole’

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Vanuatu: there are worse bubbles to be in. File Photo

Published: 7:00am, 20 May 2020Updated: 11:03pm, 20 May 2020

Calls are mounting for Australia and New Zealand to allow their Pacific neighbours into the “Trans Tasman bubble” they are setting up to kick-start economic activity, with proponents saying it will ensure they remain in the game as Chinese influence expands in the region.

The arrangement would allow for freer movement of people and goods and Australian MP Dave Sharma, a close ally of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, opined last week that the “Trans-Tasman bubble doesn’t go far enough … We look out for each other in tough times. A trans-Pacific bubble would help us do just that.”

Sharma also said Australia should be lending a further hand to the Pacific as a means to thwart growing Chinese influence in the region.

“Strategic competition in the Pacific is alive and well, with China and other countries seeking to play a greater role,” he said. “It is important our influence and footprint in our near neighbourhood is visible.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (left) and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Photo: EPA

The Pacific is a key pillar of both countries’ foreign policies, especially at a time of rising tension between Beijing and Canberra over Australia’s calls for an independent inquiry into China’s handling of the coronavirus.