I believe we can regain that influence and respect by building myriad, gifted nuclear power projects that massively reduces domestic energy costs and greenhouse gas production here and abroad!

And here I am unequivocally referencing MSR thorium. Given every nation on the planet has some useful and easily separated and thorium reserves!

Not too far ahead in time, I see nuclear-powered flight! Utilising solid-state electronic, gravity defeating propellant power! And as VLTAL that makes every island nation accessible by very cheap air travel, that competes very favourably/economically with traditional shipping?

And would allow many island-based, nuclear-powered cottage industries and startups, access to global markets?

This more than anything would restore self-esteem, influence and respect, as they gain sustainable self-reliance, independence, cash flows and export incomes!
Alan B.

With years of ongoing foreign aid cuts, and with China filling the void, what can we expect from our neighbours in the Pacific. The author has a particular interest in PNG, but PNG is not the Pacific. Cheap suggestions of appointing a big wig ex-poly to Port Moresby, or throwing a few footballs around might fit in well with Australia's lousy aid budget in the region. However non of that will be of concern in Suva or Port Vila. The days of the "big white chief" and trinkets of wampum to appease the natives are long gone. If Australia wants to counter China it will need to spend hard aid cash in the region on infrastructure, health, education etc. My friends in Fiji like Australians, but they also like decent roads, a clean water supply, education for their children and medical attention when they are sick. The answer is simple Australia needs to do more in everyday practical ways, and not simply expect Islanders to serve Aussie tourists mai-tai cocktails by the pool, and love us bigtime forever.

Many island communities are overly dependent on diesel generators for their power supply. While some solar panels have offset some of this. The cost of diesel never ever does down! And means few cottage industries can industrialize! Powered mechanisation, therefore, requires cheap safe clean, carbon-free energy.

And surplus energy that can be used to turn inexhaustible seawater into hydrogen and potable water that is also cost-effective when used to irrigate broadacre cultivation. And recharge all manner of electric vehicles (tractors trucks and taxis) as well as run trains and trams etc.

No renewable on the planet can compete with MSR thorium which, run by the community, in not for profit paradigms, can reticulate 24/7 power for as little as 1 cent PKWH and unsubsidized! Nor create mountains of toxic waste in the manufacturing cycle!

Our aid money could be used exclusively to build SMR MSR thorium projects that then power new economic self-help outcomes. Yes, some technicians will need to be trained to run and maintain these power system projects. And we can do that here in our TAFE colleges and upgrade via teleconferencing.

As one poster suggested, the days of beads and wampum are over and we need to assist self-determination and self-reliance! And through that seal the bonds of enduring friendship that China cannot SNAFU?
Alan B.

Definitely not by sending Australian tourists to the South Pacific !