Australia to stand with Pacific islands on climate crisis and ‘respect’ region, Penny Wong says

New foreign affairs minister tells Pacific leaders Australia will listen because we care' after reports China may be seeking security agreement with Kiribati

• Australia federal election 2022 LIVE - latest news, updates and results
• Election 2022 results: live votes tracker and federal seat counts
• Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing

Australia's new foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will seek to improve relations with Pacific island countries, flagging an early visit to the region and promising to be a generous, respectful and reliable" partner.

China's new security deal with Solomon Islands was a point of political dispute during the Australian election campaign and there are now reports that Beijing could be planing to strike a similar agreement with Kiribati.