Aid to Pacific being abandoned: Labor
Scott Morrison's first international trip as prime minister will be to Indonesia to sign a free trade deal, but Labor says he's abandoning foreign aid to the Pacific.
Mr Morrison appointed Anne Ruston as Assistant Minister for International Development, moving the position off the front bench.
Labor also criticised Mr Morrison for not confirming whether he will attend the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru next month.
"Mr Morrison's decision to axe International Development Assistance and the Pacific from his front bench can only further worsen Australia's already diminishing influence in our region," Labor frontbencher Penny Wong said on Monday.
"(It) sends a terrible signal to our Pacific neighbours about just how little this government cares for the region."
Mr Turnbull was due to go to Nauru for the forum, but so far it is unclear whether Mr Morrison will visit the island.
He is due to leave this week for Indonesia to sign a landmark free trade deal.
