Answer:
The Pacific Islands region is a unique part of Australia's neighborhood and we intend to give the region the recognition it deserves. The need for this recognition was a key factor in my determination to have the Minister for Foreign Affairs, rather than a junior Minister, represent Australia in the region and that responsibility during the Government's second term.
I think that the difference Australia is a federation. Its power is conferred upon the federal government by the states, which there are 6. New Zealand on the other hand is a unitary state. Its power is held by a central government which is conferred upon local regions by the central government.