Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott and Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key , heads of government of the two largest participating countries in the Forum , were both unable to attend . Tony Abbott was occupied with matters concerning the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 . The Australian delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Warren Truss and Parliamentary Secretary Brett Mason . The New Zealand delegation was led by Foreign Minister Murray McCully , who promised a $ 5 million programme to update navigation maps for the region , and to help protect Pacific fisheries . The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand condemned Key for not attending the forum , and accused both leaders of not caring deeply enough about the effects of climate change
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
45th Pacific Islands Forum