PM and Morrison sign new Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership that will see enhanced cooperation of mutual interest

PM and Morrison sign new Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership that will see enhanced cooperation of mutual interest

By Vijay Narayan
17/09/2019
Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership signed by Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison [Photo:Fijian Government]

The new Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership signed by Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison in Canberra will see enhanced cooperation in multiple areas of mutual interest between the two countries.

The partnership will see both countries promoting greater people to people linkages through facilitating easier travel between Fiji and Australia.

The agreement states that Australia is extending streamlined processing for Fijian political, business and sporting leaders under the Pacific Australia Card.

The countries have also committed to renegotiating the Air Services Agreement to provide further opportunities for Fijian and Australian travellers and to examine further opportunities to enhance cooperation in the tourism sector.

Australia and Fiji have also stated that they will explore opportunities to develop pathways for Fijian teams to play in Australian competitions, support Australian teams to increase their presence in Fiji, and create pathways for emerging Fijian athletes to benefit from Australia’s high performance coaching and training. The Vuvale Partnership also states that the two countries will explore opportunities for technical assistance including secondment and work together to examine further support pathways for elite sportspeople, teams and sports professionals  to further build these links.

Bainimarama and Morrison confirm that Fiji and Australia share a strategic interest in ensuring the Pacific is a peaceful, stable and secure region. They reaffirmed their commitment to closer defence, border security, policing, law and justice, intelligence and security cooperation. Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program with Fiji will also continue on training in maritime security and peacekeeping.

Fiji and Australia have also announced their decision to enter a peacekeeping partnership. This means the countries will support joint Australian Defence Force - Republic of Fiji Military Forces  deployments on peacekeeping missions, further joint training activities and intelligence cooperation during deployments.

Bainimarama and Morrison have also agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation efforts to address transnational crime, including drug smuggling, money laundering, cybercrime, human trafficking and terrorism.

Australia and Fiji also affirm their intent to increase cyber security cooperation to maximise protections and opportunities for the Pacific in the digital age.

Australia also states that it recognises the valued contribution of Fijian workers in meeting Australian labour demand through the Seasonal Worker Programme.

Australia also says that it recognises Fiji’s global climate change leadership since it’s Presidency of COP23. Both countries pledged to continue working together in line with their respective commitments under the Paris Agreement.

ADVERTISEMENT

MH Moneygram
MH Online Shopping Banner
FEATURE NEWS
Ratu Tevita Mara says being a leader is to uplift people’s lives
Being a leader is to uplift people’s lives. That is the comment from the newly installed Tui Lau, Sau Ni Vanua O Lau and Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita M...
12 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Police special constable charged with assault
A Special Constable has been charged with one count of Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm after he allegedly assaulted a man in Suva last ...
11 hours ago

Fijians to benefit from faster First Home Initiative Grant processing with new digital portal
In a major step to improve housing services, the Ministry of Housing has launched Fiji’s first digital portal for the First Home Ownership ...
11 hours ago

Evangeline Kumar – from walking the tightrope to now doing solo hair hang act during VOU Fijian Flying Circus
The VOU Fijian Flying Circus now underway in Suva is not only dazzling crowds with flips, drama, juggling, the Fijian village clown and Fijian flair, ...
12 hours ago

China donates $100,000 worth of aid to Lau following Tui Nayau installation
Following the installation of the Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua o Lau, na Tui Lau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, the Ambassador of China to Fiji, Zhou Jian, ...
13 hours ago

Charge against Bainimarama amended in sacked Police officers case
The charge against former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, in the case where he is charged alongside former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho for ...
13 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
2 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
4 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
7 days ago

TOP