Sport is a way to really enhance our regional influence

As I wrote last week, I'm not expecting the federal budget to outline radical change to our aid program in the region. That will take time.

But what we can do is use the budget to modestly strengthen our regional influence.

There is no doubt in my mind that China is focussing on debt-trap funding....loans.....for infrastructure projects in the region. The latest is a highway in Samoa. It is also funding by way of a massive loan the Ramu Two Power Project In PNG.

The one area China really struggles with is funding sport. It has built grandstands for the Pacific Games but it struggles with people to people sport engagement.

Fortunately, Australia has a readymade people engagement when it comes to sport in our region.

Modest budget funding can really make a difference. The key is to ensure funding goes to grass root sport development for elite teams and players.

There is a temptation to fund elite programs. It is easier to administer....but it won't really achieve the best outcomes.

We need to fund women's sport and youth sport as well as men's sport.

A budget outlay of just $10 million would make a real difference.

And even though PNG will be the largest recipient sport funding can make a real difference in smaller island nations such as Samoa, Fiji and Tonga.

As I have written, over half the NRL's first grade players have an Islander, Polynesian or indigenous history. In many junior teams it is even greater.

But there are a whole range of sports we can encourage.

At the grass roots level difficult economic conditions have put pressure on sport. Even funding uniforms is often just too costly.

The danger is that the breakdown in grass roots sport will worsen social disharmony in villages and even urban areas. We can help address that with modest funding.....funding delivered through national sporting organisations in Australia working with regional counterparts.

Coaches and administrators are desperately needed in most sports.

We could establish a regional coaches and administrators college in Australia as an example.

National sporting bodies could be subsidised to contribute to a college.

I recently had a long Radio National interview with Tom Swiitzer on the issue. He was very supportive of our playing a greater role in developing sport in our region.

I have had excellent feedback from listeners.

It just makes good policy sense in an area China just can't compete in.

We might seek to work with New Zealand in doing so.

And I see a role for state governments as well.

I think modest funding would be really effective. And it would enhance people-to-people relations.

And importantly it does not cost billions!

This government has done well in building regional links after years of neglect.

It can do even more at a modest cost to the budget.

I hope in time the government will totally review our aid program in our region. We give more in aid than any country. It can be delivered more effectively.

The forthcoming budget can begin making a difference.