The Hu’akavameiliku government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Australia.
The MOU was signed between Australia’s Minister for Defence, Pat Conroy, and Tonga’s Foreign Minister Fekita Utoikamanu on December 9.
It comprised agreements to support Tonga’s budget, aviation, and seasonal workers.
Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku said: “It has been a great pleasure for me to welcome Minister Conroy to Tonga, the third Australian Minister to visit since June of this year. I am proud to announce that during this visit, Tonga and Australia signed two new arrangements to further strengthen our partnership”.
The agreement includes a Direct Funding Arrangement for AUD30 million in additional budget support to Tonga in 2022-23 to support Tonga’s economic recovery from compounding shocks, including COVID-19, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai disaster and more recent global inflationary pressures.
The two countries also agreed to a Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme Memorandum of Understanding that renews the joint commitment to implement the PALM scheme to support the economic development of Tonga and builds skills for Tongan workers when they return home.
A third arrangement, an aviation Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for Tonga Civil Aviation Division to work more closely with Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) across technical, regulatory, and other areas of support was also announced.
Minister Conroy said he was honoured to make his first visit to Tonga as Minister for International Development and the Pacific. He remarked:
“Australia and Tonga share a long and enduring bond of friendship. Australia always has been and always will support Tonga through good times and bad, just as the people of Tonga have done for us.
Australia is committed to supporting Tonga on its journey back to economic strength after recent crises and shocks. I am pleased Australia is providing additional budget support of AUD30 million to help the Government of Tonga’s economic recovery and the resilience of its people.
