Australian PM to visit Pacific

Mr Rudd will be accompanied by the parliamentary secretary for Pacific Island affairs, Duncan Kerr, and the parliamentary secretary for international development assistance, Bob McMullan.

Mr Rudd will meet the PNG Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, in Port Moresby and visit Australian-funded aid projects in Goroka.

He'll then go to Honiara for talks with the Solomons prime minister, Dr Derek Sikua.

Mr Rudd says the meetings will look at regional challenges, including economic sustainability, effective development, and climate change.