What does Beijing and Canberra's relationship tug-of-war in the region mean to Australia's Pacific Islander community?

All the attention on the Pacific has Vicki Kinai concerned, with fears the Chinese Foreign Minister's visit to PNG will influence the election. (Supplied)

Foreign Minister Penny Wong's hasty departure to the Pacific islands a mere days after the Labor government was sworn in was meant to send a message to the region that Australia has its back.

But for Papua New Guinean Vicki Kinai, seeing Senator Wong "just dash like that" hasn't exactly instilled a sense of safety and comfort.