Its in the Australian national interest to comprehensively assist Tonga to rebuild

The small South Pacific nation of Tonga has suffered massive destruction from a volcanic eruption almost two weeks ago.

The initial Australian response has been effective, and wisely delivered in close association with New Zealand. A word of explanation is needed on the importance of that association.

The population of Tonga is around 105,000. The number of people who identify as Tongans, or with Tongan heritage, in New Zealand is over 80,000. The number in Australia is around 10,000 – to which can be added around 5,000 Tongan seasonal workers who seems to be principally helping the South Australian fruit growing sector.

Sadly of all our Pacific neighbours, Tonga has fallen under China's influence more than any other, with the possible exception of the Solomon Islands. Tonga's GDP is probably no more than $500 million, yet one debt to China alone is over $100 million – a debt Tonga simply cannot afford to repay.

I have noticed that in recent months the New Zealand Labour Greens Government has expressed concern about the impact of "debt trap diplomacy" on South Pacific nations. The issue, as well as climate change, has been elevated to the top of New Zealand's regional policy priorities.

Australia should be welcoming this, and talking to New Zealand about how we can work closely together to address the reality of China's "debt trap diplomacy" in our region.

.In recent years, New Zealand has been focussing on developing its trade links with China. This important policy priority change may well result in China taking action not dis-similar to what Australia has been enduring.

What Australia needs to do is to discuss with New Zealand a joint "proportionate" response to China's growing influence – and debt trap diplomacy – in our region.

Our initial response to the tragic position in Tonga today is hard to fault. The same can be said for New Zealand with the defence forces of both nations leading the way in providing emergency assistance.

So far the China response has been, to put it mildly "missing."

A telephone call from President Xi to the King of Tonga and a small cash donation seems to be the sum total – so far.

Tonga is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy, and a member of the Commonwealth. The influence of Christianity is well above 90 per cent.

It just defies comprehension that such a nation could fall under China's influence, but then again the small population and small economy undoubtedly appeals to China's policy makers. Gaining strong influence in a small, but strategically important, country has come reasonably cheaply!

The question is how can Australia and New Zealand build on the goodwill we enjoy in Tonga total and reduce the PRC influence to the greatest extent possible. I have a couple of suggestions.

Firstly, both our governments should engage with the Tongan Government (there is a newly elected Prime Minister) on how we can help reduce Tonga's debt to China. This may require long term loans that enable Tonga to eliminate its debt with China as soon as possible.

Australia currently gives Tonga around $35 million a year in direct assistance. New Zealand also provides direct aid to Tonga.

We will have to significantly increase our assistance to help Tonga rebuild vital infrastructure damaged by the impact of the volcanic eruption and tsunami. We need to encourage New Zealand, the US and Japan, and the European Union and the United Kingdom to do more as well.

Perhaps Australia should offer to appoint, and meet the cost of, a rebuilding "il supremo" to oversee what is going to be a massive, complex and costly exercise.

If we don't then watch China step in with the offer of "loans" that Tonga simply does not have the capacity to repay.

My second suggestion is that both our countries should focus on the "people to people" association between the peoples of Australia and New Zealand and Tonga. When you have over 80,000 Tongans in New Zealand, and around 10,000 in Australia, building people to people links should be easy.

I am as some readers would know a rugby league tragic – I was even the rugby league writer for "Crikey!" for a number of years.

Rugby league, as my old friend the late broadcaster George Lovejoy defined it - "the greatest game of all" - has experienced enormous growth not only in Tonga, but also in the number of Tongans playing the game. Despite the fond hopes of "super League" a quarter of a century ago, rugby league is not played in China!

But Tonga is also known for its role in Rugby Union, and a number of women's sports.

The Australian Government, and New Zealand, should assist the major sporting bodies in Australia to assist sport in Tonga rebuild and expands its facilities. We should also assist with training especially coaches and sports administrators. And we should directly assist with international and regional participation.

And my third suggestion is an absolute no-brainer. I mentioned there are around 4000 Tongans working in the agricultural sector in South Australia under the South Pacific seasonal workers program. I understand a small number are also working in other states.

We should look at expanding the number of Tongans in the seasonal workers program – and providing wage subsidies in the short term on the basis the workers assist their families back in Tonga.

As I have said Tonga is a small nation. Its need today is great. The capacity of Australia and New Zealand to assist it rebuild comprehensively and effectively is beyond dispute.

All we need is a more focussed, and frankly realistic policy approach from the Australian Government! And the good people of Tonga deserve it!