Australia supports 2018 Fiji General Election

Australia has welcomed the Fijian Government's announcement that general elections will take place on 14th November this year.

Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Marise Payne says this will be Fiji's second national election since its return to parliamentary democracy in September 2014.

Payne says at the invitation of the Fiji Government, Australia will co‑lead the Multinational Observer Group, alongside India and Indonesia, as they did in 2014.

She says Australia will be represented on the Multinational Observer Group by a bipartisan group of Australian parliamentarians, as well as experts and officials.

The Group will monitor processes from pre‑election preparations, through the campaign period, to the announcement of official results.

She says Australia's role as co‑leader of the Multinational Observer Group is part of their broader partnership with Fiji.

Payne says it is also in addition to their ongoing support for the Fiji Electoral Commission and Fijian Elections Office through two long‑term advisers and the Australian Electoral Commission is also providing ongoing technical assistance.