Australia has been urged to step up substantially on the issue of West Papua, with Vanuatu’s leaders taking to the stage of the UN General Assembly to "emphatically condemn" alleged human rights violations in the region.
Vanuatu's Prime Minister says Australia’s position on the Human Rights Council and membership of the Pacific Island Forum means it has a responsibility to help end clashes between Indonesian security forces and pro-independence protestors.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne has expressed concern about the situation and says Australia’s post in Jakarta is following up on matters with authorities there.