bensyd

The biggest impediment to the Pacific bubble (as opposed to just TT) is that Australia has very little to gain economically. I'd expect domestic tourism operators to fight tooth and nail against a PB because it will divert a significant amount of domestic tourism to cheaper places like Fiji etc. On the other hand, for geopolitical reasons I can see Australia not wanting to be seen to be letting the islands fail lest China move in further.

I wouldn't pay too much attention to what a junior minister says on the matter either. It will be a decision made by the cabinet. The Minister for the Pacific (honestly, I had no idea such a minister existed) isn't even in the cabinet.