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An Australian academic says immigration is an area where Canberra could get one up on China in the strategic competition for influence in the Pacific.
Last week the labour government passed the legislation for its new Pacific Engagement Visa category passed.
After months of uncertainty, the legislation required to implement the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) passed through the Australian Senate, with the Greens and other crossbenchers providing the numbers the government needed in the face of opposition from the Coalition.
Modelled after New Zealand's Samoa Quota and Pacific Access visas it will be a first-of-its kind pathway to residency in Australia for Pacific islanders.
RNZ Pacific Editor, Koroi Hawkins spoke with the director of the development policy centre at the Australian National University, professor Stephen Howes, about the new pathway.
