Toward Programme
Federal government open to recruiting Pacific Islanders into Australian Defence Force - National Indigenous Times
Why it matters
Recruiting Pacific Islanders into the ADF strengthens Australia's demographic and military linkages with the Pacific, offsetting marginal ADF manning shortfalls and embedding cultural/institutional ties that reinforce regional allegiance. This is part of Australia's broader strategy to contest Chinese influence in the Pacific via soft security measures and people-to-people connection.
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