Australia and Pacific partners should consider expanding their newly formed military rapid response group for disaster relief as soon as next year, with climate change fuelling increasing natural disasters and geopolitical competition rising in the region, a new Australian Strategic Policy Institute report recommends.
‘Stepping up military support to humanitarian assistance in the Pacific: recommendations for the Pacific Response Group’ by Blake Johnson and Adam Ziogas was released last week.
As the Pacific remains highly susceptible to natural disasters and severe weather events, the report highlights the need for greater co-operation in Pacific Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and explores how the Pacific Response Group (PRG) can best address the gaps.
It also examines how Australia can solidify its status as the primary security partner and help prevent geostrategic competition from hindering regionally led security initiatives as Pacific island countries experience an unprecedented level of competition for influence.
“Australia is looking to provide genuine support and capability to the region, as it has done for decades, but additionally it can’t shy away from the strategic contest. The PRG will help to solidify Australia’s role as a primary provider of security assistance and the Australian government would be aware that by supporting regional military cooperation on this level, it will be better positioned to prevent China from achieving a greater foothold with Pacific island militaries,” the report states.
“While blocking out China isn’t the primary intent of the PRG, it’s likely to be portrayed as such by China in its digital diplomacy and state media communications in the same way as the recently endorsed Pacific Policing Initiative. The reality is that, if regional security initiatives are done right and meeting the needs of the region, there shouldn’t be a need for further external support.”
While the PRG provides a significant opportunity to enhance coordination of regional military support to HADR, questions remain over how much the initiative will improve the region’s capacity to respond to disasters as environmental and climate threats intensify.
“In the coming years, the PRG will have to address challenges surrounding the potential expansion of the group and its mission, including into areas like stability operations, and Australia will need to commit greater resources to ensuring that it successfully adapts to the region’s needs. It is important that the thinking, consultation and some of the planning for that starts now.”
The report makes 12 policy recommendations to enhance regional military contributions to HADR through the PRG, including:
- PRG members states should consider the need for an expansion of the PRG, beginning as soon as the 2025–26 high-risk weather season;
- The end goal of the HADR component of the PRG should be dedicated forces from each military able to be readily deployed in immediate response to natural disasters in the region;
- The Australian Government should acknowledge that the PRG is not designed to address all of Australia’s domestic HADR demands, so other solutions, such as the establishment of a volunteer disaster-relief support force should be further explored;
- The PRG should think ahead and consider outlining a role for South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting observers such as Japan, the UK and the US in supporting the group without changing its core makeup;
- Together, PRG members should publicly push back against any narratives that suggest this initiative is competition-driven and remind other states that successful security initiatives inevitably lead to a reduced need for other external support.
