Is the United States about to share in the ‘heavy lifting’ in the Pacific?

But the US will also be interested in Samoa, given its proximity to American Samoa, and that has to be welcomed given the refreshing signs emerging from the new Government of Samoa.

There is one issue closer to Australia which we should seriously enlist support from the United States to address.

I remain concerned, if not alarmed, that the PNG community closest to Australia, Daru, remains a serious and significant target by companies directly linked to the Peoples Republic of China Government, encouraged by the PRC Embassy in Port Moresby.

Australia's response to my contributions and those of others including Guardian reporters about China's interest in Daru has just not been good enough.

What must happen is that Australia, in consultation with the PNG Government, must move immediately to address the social welfare and community service needs of the long suffering people of Daru. Daru needs a proper sewerage system. A reliable water support, and affordable electricity.

It also needs to help provide economic opportunity for the people of Daru, and the whole Western Province which is strategically located beside the Indonesian province of Papua, as well as of course the islands of the Torres Strait and Northern Australia.

Given the urgency of the task – and the challenge China presents – why not engage the United States to assist?

The population of Daru is around 50,000. They interchange with Australian citizens living on the islands of the Torres Strait – even though the pandemic has restricted movements.

Even though they live just a few km from the nearest island in the Torres Strait, their living standards and economic opportunity are massively inferior to those of the people of the Torres Strait. And that includes health services and school education.

That reality makes Daru's local and provincial leaders unsurprisingly susceptible to grandiose proposals from China – running into billions.

Australia simply has to lead the response, which must include the development of a more efficient and significant local fishing industry and fish processing facility.

The clear sign that the United States is going to lift its contribution to countering China's influence is to be welcomed, and encouraged.

Australia's immediate task, apart from encouraging it, is to work with the US and its agencies in identifying projects that can make an early impact.

Delivering real opportunity to our good neighbours is surely a sound beginning?