Australia should establish and fund a centre for parliamentary democracy in the Pacific

Democracy in our region, and especially full parliamentary democracy, has underpinned the overall success of our regional neighbours since they gained independence.

Foremost among them is Papua New Guinea where parliamentary democracy has survived a flawed series of key processes in the recent national elections. When you have close to 5,000 candidates seeking election it's a healthy sign...flaws and all.

The PNG National Parliament has met and fulfilled its constitutional duty to elect a Prime Minister- on this occasion with an overwhelming majority.

The parliament of Vanuatu is in some turmoil after being dissolved by the President - a decision subject to a court challenge. Fiji is due to hold national elections in the coming months, elections that will be watched closely to ensure they are transparent and fair.

What our pro-active Foreign Minister should be considering is taking some practical steps to strengthen democracy in our region. A robust parliamentary democracy is a great bulwark against China-style totalitarian government.

Australia should consider establishing, and initially funding, a Centre for Parliamentary Democracy in the Pacific.

Its objectives can be straight forward - principally to educate the people of the region, and the parliamentary members and political parties of the region, on the importance of strengthening and defending parliamentary democracy.

I fear that in some of our regional neighbours there has been a serious erosion in public confidence in parliamentary democracy. It must not be taken for granted.

What we are witnessing in the Solomon Islands is a drift towards a dictatorship, probably encouraged by China which seeks to control every aspect of public life in the Solomon Islands.

And the turmoil during the PNG National elections has at the very least shaken public confidence, even if post-election developments have been more encouraging.

A well-funded and staffed centre to promote parliamentary democracy is a contribution China could not even try to emulate. Australia needs to take a lead and seek the support of countries like New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom.

These are tumultuous times in key areas of the Pacific.