Tonga's Parliamentary Delegation Continues High-Level Engagements in Canberra

The Parliamentary Delegation from the Legislative Assembly of the Kingdom of Tonga continued its official visit to Australia with a full day of strategic meetings in Canberra, engaging with key Australian government departments and agencies across sectors including strategic communications, cybersecurity, education, and science.

The day's program began with a high-level meeting hosted by Suzanne McCourt, First Assistant Secretary of the Strategic Communications Division at DFAT. Discussions focused on regional public diplomacy, strengthening communication resilience, and addressing the growing threat of disinformation in the Pacific.

Key topics included enhancing strategic narratives across the region, tackling harmful online content, and bolstering media and communications capacity in Pacific nations.

The delegation then participated in a joint inter-agency session on Cybersecurity and Online Safety, facilitated by DFAT with contributions from the Department of Infrastructure and the eSafety Commissioner.

A focal point of the dialogue was Australia’s Online Safety Act, particularly the planned restrictions on social media access for children under 16. The Tongan delegation expressed interest in how these measures will be implemented and enforced. Broader discussions explored collaborative approaches to combating misinformation and disinformation, supporting safe digital environments, and integrating online safety into youth education—especially in the areas of digital respect and consent.

Before midday, the delegation visited the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to explore Australia's approach to STEM education and sustainable agriculture.

Discussions emphasized CSIRO’s efforts to increase youth engagement in science and innovation, the national soil research program, and extensive educational outreach in schools and communities. CSIRO also shared effective models for science communication and community-based education, opening avenues for future collaboration with Tonga in environmental and scientific capacity building.

The delegation was formally hosted at a luncheon by Elizabeth Peak, Head of the Office of the Pacific. The delegation raised issues including Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, potential areas for expanded cooperation in industries such as mining and construction, and the ongoing dialogue around Kava trade regulations.

The luncheon marked the close of a productive day of engagement, further deepening the strategic partnership between Tonga and Australia. The delegation departed Canberra for South Australia on Tuesday evening to continue their official visit