Peter Stefanovic, Host: The partner of missing NSW hiker Michael Keats has confirmed his death in Nepal, which would make him the first Australian death to be confirmed in the tragedy. Dozens more remain missing, but joining us live from Canberra is the Foreign Minister, Penny Wong. Minister, thanks for your time this morning. So, are you able to confirm this first Australian death in Nepal?
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: First, can I express the fact that my thoughts are with Mr. Keats' family and with all the families and friends of the 43 Australians who are currently unaccounted for and whose welfare we are urgently seeking to confirm. We've not received official confirmation, but we respect the family's rights to make a public statement. And again, my thoughts are with them and with the family and friends of all of the Australians who are currently unaccounted for. We are working around the clock to get information to support the crisis response, including through humanitarian assistance, and of course to find out where Australians are. We, obviously, Pete, hold grave concerns for their safety and as time passes, those concerns only grow.
Stefanovic: So, is that to say, then, that there might be a sliver of a chance that Mr. Keats is still alive?
Foreign Minister: I accept that the family has made this statement and we certainly think the timeframe has made this very difficult. As I said yesterday, and I'd say again today, we have 43 Australians, including Mr. Keats, who are unaccounted for. And every day, our concerns become only graver.
Stefanovic: Yes, well, I mean, I was going to make that point. It's just how these tragedies usually play out. The more time goes on, the more the chance of a miracle fades. Would you expect the death toll from our side of things to eventually rise?
Foreign Minister: That's a hard thing to ask, isn't it? I mean, we all are hoping and praying. We all are. But I think we all also understand every hour or day that passes without information that our concerns only grow and, you know, the scale of this, the thousands of people missing, the hundreds who have been killed and confirmed dead, and the challenge that the authorities are having in identifying those who have been taken by this, given the scale of it. I think we all understand this is a horrific situation. All we can do is one, to hope and pray, two, to provide whatever support we can. And can I just say, Pete, Australians have been amazing. We launched on Friday, apart from what the Government was giving, the Emergency Action Alliance, which sought donations from the public. Australians have donated since Friday $2 million - which the Government has also matched in addition and more - out of their own pockets. And that says something about our country.
Stefanovic: Sure. So, just so I'm clear in my head, just on Mr. Keats, if you haven't had specific confirmation, then the family might have got confirmation through their own means?
Foreign Minister: That is possible. And I'd also make the point, we are in a situation where for the authorities it will be challenging and is challenging for them to confirm the whereabouts of many missing. I think there are over 4,000 people who are currently missing.
Stefanovic: Sure. Will we be sending any more supplies, any more help?
Foreign Minister: That's a good question. And in fact, the RAAF plane may be taking off as we speak, departing for Nepal with some of the supplies that they have sought. I offered search and rescue as well as humanitarian assistance. The Nepali Government's preference was to get more humanitarian assistance. They wanted supplies of things like hygiene kits, shelter kits, solar kits. Because obviously people have lost shelter, electricity, don't have access to bathrooms and so forth. So, we are providing those and those will be airlifted into Nepal today.
Stefanovic: Okay, Minister, I know you've got to go, but just a couple of quick questions on the Pacific Islands Forum. You've got the leaders of Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, they're not going, falling like dominoes it seems, for a variety of reasons. How much of a blow is that to the outcome of this forum?
Foreign Minister: We place a great deal of weight on the Pacific Islands Forum. We believe in the Pacific making decisions for itself and for the future of the Pacific. This is the Leaders Forum, which is at the apex, the peak of the regional architecture of the region, making its own decisions. So, Australia's a strong supporter of the PIF. Leaders make their own decisions about their ability to travel. I know there are a range of reasons why some have not been able to attend, but the forum remains so important, particularly at a time of geopolitical competition. I think we all understand the era we live in. And the region coming together is one of the ways in which we navigate that.
Stefanovic: Well, Taiwan's presence appears to be a sticking point for some. And your New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, called the withdrawals highly suspicious. Is China running interference behind the scenes?
Foreign Minister: Well, Pete, you and I on this program have spoken about the permanent competition in the Pacific. I have been very upfront about that. In terms of Taiwan, Australia has a One China policy. We maintain diplomatic relationships with Beijing. We engage economically with Taiwan. There are Pacific Island countries which have a different position, and we respect that they have that position.
Stefanovic: Might be tense. Might be a tense forum, though, would you suspect?
Foreign Minister: Well, for the Prime Minister, it's a forum he knows well. He's very familiar with the leaders. He's friends with many of them. I think he'll be fine.
Stefanovic: Okay. Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Appreciate your time. Thank you so much.