Australia's prime minister Anthony Albanese and Tuvalu's prime minister Kausea Natano signed a treaty known as the ‘Falepili Union’. Photo: Anthony Albanese
The Australian government says the Falepili Union allows for both parties "to achieve shared interests" in response to comments from former Tuvalu prime minister and current leader of opposition Enele Sopoaga's that he will flush the agreement if he gets into office.
On Wednesday, Sopoaga told RNZ Pacific that "there was a loud opposition" around the Falepili Union on the island, which he believes undermines the sovereignty of Tuvalu.
A key aspect of the agreement, signed on 9 November in Rarotonga, is a climate mobility pathway which would allow Tavaluans to settle in Australia, in return for Canberra having veto power over Tuvalu's foreign security arrangements.
Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano has said that the bilateral treaty is in the best interests of his people, but it has been condemned by Pacific political watchers, who it claim the accord is ill-conceived and one-sided in Australia's own security interests.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told RNZ Pacific that the agreement was a response to the Tuvalu government's request "and is focused on Tuvalu's priorities of security, climate change and mobility with dignity".
Australia and Tuvalu sign the Falepili Union treaty in Rarotonga: Australian PM Anthony Albanese, (front left) and Tuvalu PM Kausea Natano exchange the agreement. 10 November 2023 Photo: Twitter.com / @PatConroy1
"The Treaty recognises that the statehood and sovereignty of Tuvalu will continue notwithstanding the impacts of climate change-related sea-level rise, and commits Australia to support Tuvalu's adaptation priorities," the spokesperson said.
"And it commits Australia to come to Tuvalu's assistance in the face of military aggression, natural disaster or global health pandemic, at Tuvalu's request.
"And Australia will provide a special mobility pathway to enable Tuvaluans to migrate with dignity to live, work, study and connect with family in Australia."
The treaty is expected to come into force subject to the domestic processes of Tuvalu and Australia, after the Tuvalu elections in January 2024.
While Sopoaga believes the agreement will make Tuvaluans moving to Australia climate refugees, the treaty does not state that they would be treated as or recognised as climate refugees.
The spokesperson said that the final details of the pathway are subject to further discussions between the two governments.
"Under the Union, both countries are embracing obligations to achieve our shared interests."