Unveiling his latest program in Tuvalu, Mr Morrison promised 16 million USD to the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) designed to support Pacific Island nations to reduce the local dependence on single use plastics, arguing plastics in the food chain were damaging the health of the region’s citizens, including contributing to falling fertility rates, with the funding lasting through to 2025.

The announcement came a week after the Prime Minister pushed the states to end the export of waste materials to Asia, a move which will force the creation of a larger domestic recycling industry.