* Labor has outlined a multi-million dollar plan to bolster relations with Pacific nations.
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* The plan comes in the wake of the Solomon Islands signing a security pact with China, which has attracted concern about Beijing's growing influence in the region.
* The federal opposition pledged $525 million over the next four years to boost Australian official development assistance for Pacific nations and Timor-Leste.
* An Australian-Pacific Defence School will also be set up, with $6.5 million set aside to provide training for defence forces in Pacific nations.
* Funding will be doubled for the Pacific maritime security program to provide aerial surveillance of exclusive economic zones.
* The ABC will also receive $8 million to boost Australian content in the region and training for Pacific journalists.
* A climate infrastructure financing partnership will also be set up to support climate change initiatives.
* Regular bipartisan parliamentary visits to the Pacific would be reinstated.
* It will also be easier for workers from the Pacific to fill labour shortages in Australia to allow participants to bring family members to live in Australia.
*A dedicated agriculture visa stream would also be created.
Australian Associated Press
