Smiles and unity at the Pacific Islands Forum mask tough questions shelved for another day

While leaders presented a picture of harmony, more vexing topics like Australia's fossil fuel ambitions and China were kicked down the road

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At the close of the Pacific Islands Forum the leaders emerged from their retreat smiling, cut a giant cake with a sword and then, in an impromptu moment of diplomatic bonhomie, posed for a selfie after Anthony Albanese whipped out his phone, Ellen DeGeneres style.

It was, quite literally, a picture of harmony.

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