Australia and Fiji have successful talks in Suva

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has told Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison if history has shown them anything, it is that their nations are always better served when they act as good neighbours and as of their newest partnership, they are now more than just neighbours; they are family.

While speaking at the state dinner for Morrison at GPH last night, Bainimarama says as members of the same family, they must be honest with each other, they must stay at the table, even when they may disagree, and they must each do their part to maintain a safe and happy home for all of us in the Pacific.

He says on many issues, they see eye to eye and that Morrison’s continued support towards their agenda for Fijian progress will lead to a more stable, secure and successful Pacific for all people.

Bainimarama says in Fiji, climate change is no laughing matter; the threat faced by Fijians, and all Pacific Islanders, is enormous, and with each passing day that danger becomes more serious.

He says our countries are being rocked by more frequent and more severe cyclones and deadlier flooding, with every storm carrying the disastrous potential to bring our entire economy to its knees.

The Fijian Prime Minister says they are in a new era of bilateral relations, but to truly begin this chapter anew, the Australian government and the Australian people need to look at Fiji and the rest of the Pacific through a new lens, and that starts from the very top.

He says it must begin with the acknowledgement that – as sovereign nations – we stand as equals and he told Morrison that his presence here, provides that much-needed recognition.

He also talked about 2006 and the relationship with Australia following that.

Bainimarama says that throughout his leadership, Fiji’s progress is undeniable.

While giving his address, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison says they will work to make sure that these events are not one-off.

Morrison says that 360,000 Australians visit Fiji every year and with the Fijian diaspora in Australia, and because of these links, Australia and Fiji are more than partners, they are family.

He has also invited Bainimarama and his wife Mary to visit Australia as Australia’s official guests.

Morrison also talked about Fiji’s economic performance.

He congratulated Bainimarama’s leadership on the international front where Bainimarama is championing against climate change.

Morrison also paid tribute to the Fijian Peacekeepers.

He also told the people how he holds the i-Taukei word ‘wananavu’ close to him.

Still on the Australian Prime Minister’s visit:

Scott Morrison has announced several assistance packages Australia would be providing to Fiji in the next few years with the major highlight being Fiji's inclusion in the Pacific Labour Scheme.

Morrison says they are beginning work on Fiji’s entry into the Australian Pacific Labour Scheme and they look forward to that playing out in the course of the next year and beyond.

Morrison has also announced that Australia will work with Fiji on a comprehensive border security assistance package.

He says in the weeks ahead there will be high level delegations from Australia’s border agencies coming to Fiji to put together the details and arrangements of the border security assistance package.

The Australian Prime Minister has also announced that through the Pacific Partnership Maritime Security Program two patrol boats will also be given to Fiji.

He has also announced the Australia University of the South Pacific Partnership which will be worth more than $84 million over the next 6 years.

Morrison says this will ensure that tertiary education in Fiji will be able to meet future needs.

The Australian Prime Minister has also confirmed that kava sanctions will be lifted.

We are trying to get specific details on this.

He also says that the Australian government in partnership with Free TV in Australia will commit $17.1 million to provide 1,000 hours of new Australian TV content each year for three years for Pacific broadcasters.

Morrison has also announced the possibility of a pre-season NRL match being hosted in Fiji in 2021.

While making the announcement, Morrison also welcomed the fact that Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is a Wallabies fan before he is an All Blacks fan.

He says he is sure that Wallabies coach Michael Cheika would be very pleased.

Morrison has also announced that the Australian government will be providing support for the travel costs associated with Fiji entering a team to compete in the NSW Rugby League Intrust Super Premiership in 2020.

He says they also look forward pre-season NRL matches being played in the Pacific including a match in Fiji in 2021.

Morrison says the Australia government will also work with Netball Australia to help prepare the Fiji Netball Team for the Netball World Cup in the UK in July 2019.