Australia's Pacific commitment not diminished by resignation: FM

Last Updated: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 07:56:00 +1100

Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith says Australia's committment to the Pacific region will not be diminished by the resignation of Labor MP Duncan Kerr.

Mr Kerr is quitting the parliament at the next election and has stood down as Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Affairs.

Mr Smith says that decision to replace Mr Kerr is up to the Prime Minister and Australia's work in the Pacific goes on.

"Our enduring committment to firstly repair and secondly enhance our engagement with the Pacific is not dependent on any one particular individual whether that's Duncan Kerr, Bob McMullan or indeed even me," he said.

"It's an enduring long-term public policy commitment."

The High Commissioners from Papua New Guinea and Samoa have both expressed concern that Mr Kerr has not yet been replaced.

Samoa's High Commissioner Lemalu Tate Simi has told Radio Australia the delay is excessive, espcially when there's been no explanation.

"We would have liked to see an appointment made by now, but we are not privvy to all the reasons behind the delay in making an appointment," he said.

"I'm sure that will be done very quickly, very soon."

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