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Australia–Tonga relations

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Australia–Tonga relations
Map indicating locations of Australia and Tonga

Australia
Tonga

Foreign relations exist between Australia and Tonga. Tonga has a High Commission in Canberra, and Australia has a High Commission in Nukuʻalofa.

Australia stands as Tonga’s largest development partner since its independence in 1970, with contributions and comprehensive programs annually. Australia provides substantial financial and technical assistance in areas like health, education, disaster resilience, infrastructure, and the economy. Australia’s aid totalled AUD 74.8 million for the 2022-2025 fiscal year. The partnership has seen extensive cooperation through programs such as the Tonga New Zealand Australia Technical Vocational Education Training Support Program and the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program, which also support Tonga’s growth by enhancing agricultural exports and vocational education. [1][2][3][4]

History

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Monthly value of Australian merchandise exports to Tonga (A$ millions) since 1988

In 1999, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer welcomed Tonga's admission to the United Nations. The Minister said that the Australian Government had helped fund the Commonwealth Small Island States Office in New York so Pacific states can afford to be represented here.[5]

Following the outbreak of violence in Tonga in 2006, the Tongan Government asked the Australian Government for assistance from Australian forces.[6] Following this request, eighty-five Australian soldiers and police were sent to Tonga with support from New Zealand.[7][8]

In 2008 Tonga's High Commission in Canberra opened. Crown Prince ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho (now King Tupou VI) became its first chief of mission.[9]

Development assistance

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Australia is the largest donor of aid to Tonga[10] through its Ausaid program. In 2008/09, Australian aid amounted to AUD13.2M[11] Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said in 2009 that Tonga was an important partner of Australia in the Pacific. He further added "We have extensive development assistance programs with both countries [Samoa and Tonga] and we have very strong people-to-people links.[12]

In February 2009, fifty Tongan seasonal workers from a federal government pilot scheme aimed at combatting a skills shortage in the rural sector arrived in the town of Robinvale, Victoria.[13]

Polls

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According to a 2022 poll by the Lowy Institute, Tonga is the sixth most positively viewed country by Australians. It garnered a 67% positivity rating, placing it ahead of the United States, which had a 65% rating. The only other countries from Oceania included in the poll were Papua New Guinea, which had a 61% rating, and New Zealand, which placed first with a 86% rating.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Kingdom of Tonga Development Cooperation Factsheet". Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Australia continues to be Tonga's major development partner". nepituno.to. 3 April 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Tonga-Australia Partnership Report" (PDF). Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  4. ^ Trade, corporateName= Department of Foreign Affairs and. "Australian High Commission in". tonga.embassy.gov.au. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Australia Welcomes Kiribati, Nauru and Tonga to United Nations". Foreignminister.gov.au. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  6. ^ "PM - Tongan-Australian community in shock over Pacific riots". Abc.net.au. 17 November 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  7. ^ Fonua, Pesi (22 November 2006). "Foreign Troops Patrol Tongan Capital". The Washington Post.
  8. ^ Fonua, Pesi. "Foreign Forces Secure Airport in Tonga". The Washington Post.
  9. ^ "HRH The Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa Lavaka: Tonga's First High Commissioner to Australia". Tonga Government Portal. 16 August 2008. Archived from the original on 30 November 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  10. ^ "Refworld | 2005 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Tonga". Unhcr.org. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  11. ^ "Tonga". Archived from the original on 24 August 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  12. ^ "ABC Radio Australia News:Stories:{title}". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  13. ^ "The harvest is ready and so are the Tongan workers". The Australian. 17 February 2009. Archived from the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  14. ^ Institute, Lowy. "Feelings towards other nations - Lowy Institute Poll". Lowy Institute Poll 2022.
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