But while Albanese has been keen to highlight a blossoming relationship with the Pacific family, not all has gone to plan.

A Vanuatu eruption

The Nakamal Agreement, which would have seen Australia provide an additional $50 million in aid per year to the nation for the next decade, was meant to have been finalised and settled well before the prime minister boarded his RAAF jet.

It was widely expected that Australia would sign a long-awaited $500 million pact with Vanuatu leader Jotham Napat (centre) at the Pacific Islands Forum. Source: AFP / Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Last month, Australian ministers trekked to the summit of an active volcano with their Vanuatu counterparts to mark the “finalisation” of the deal — a stratospheric spectacle to celebrate the end of negotiations.

She told the Today Show: “You might be able to speak for Vanuatu, I don’t choose to,” before a fire alarm rang out in her office, forcing the interview to be abandoned as “evacuate now” warnings drowned out her words. Auspicious timing indeed.

4WD diplomacy

The duelling announcements, made within hours of each other, dominated Australian coverage in the lead-up to the event, with stories of Pacific power plays retopped with an angle reflecting the Antipodean fondness for four-wheel drives.

Solomon Islands’ hosting of the Pacific Islands Forum in the bustling capital of Honiara has further fuelled the contest for influence in the Pacific region. Source: AAP / Poppy Johnston

And so considerable eyebrows were raised when Albanese stepped off the plane on the Honiara tarmac and hopped into an awaiting Chinese-supplied vehicle.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele addressed the increased strategic interest in the region directly in his opening address to the summit.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele did not invite PIF partner nations, including China, the US and Taiwan, to this year’s meeting. Source: AAP / Ben McKay

“The world around us is changing fast, competition from powerful interests is intensifying,” Manele said.

Those partners have, on the whole, respected the decision, and the move was criticised by Australia as well as independent Solomon Islands MP Peter Kenilorea Jr.

“While Australia has been very helpful throughout our history … in perhaps a softer policy support capacity, I think the infrastructure space is where the real issues are now decided,” he said.

‘Big dog’ Australia’s climate record questioned

After a few minutes the wardrobe malfunction was identified and while speeches were still ongoing, Albanese, in full view of the cameras, walked out of the room for a frantic shirt change before walking back in a matching garb.

Regenvanu argues the July International Court of Justice ruling finding nations have a legal obligation to prevent climate impacts means Australia’s view that it can meet its Paris commitments by completing a domestic transition, while still exporting fossil fuels like coal and gas, is “now untenable”.