In a powerful show of Pacific solidarity, Australia and Fiji have signalled a bold new phase in their Vuvale Partnership, a family-first vision of regional cooperation aimed at securing lasting peace, stability and prosperity across the Blue Pacific.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent visit to Australia wasn’t just another diplomatic exchange — it marked a deepening of ties between two nations who, as Rabuka put it, “share an ocean and share a future.”
Central to the visit was reaffirming support for Rabuka’s ambition to foster an “Ocean of Peace”, built on Pacific-led solutions to regional challenges.
That vision is now being backed with action. The Albanese government announced new commitments that will see Australia fund technical advisers to implement Fiji’s recently launched National Security Strategy, embed Australian Federal Police officers within the Fiji Police Force, and provide $12 million (FJD 17.6 million) to upgrade container screening systems at Lautoka and Suva ports — a critical step in strengthening border security.
Australia is also boosting its bilateral development assistance to Fiji by $40 million (FJD 56 million) over the next four years. This brings the total commitment to just under $500 million (FJD 734 million) between 2025 and 2029 — a significant increase that reflects Canberra’s trust in Fiji’s leadership within the region.
The expanded Vuvale Partnership is not just about money or policing. It’s a comprehensive pact grounded in shared values and common concerns. Australia and Fiji are exploring closer cooperation on a modern, cyber-secure border management system to better serve both Fijians and visitors. They’re also tackling transnational crime, particularly the rising threat of illicit drugs, with renewed efforts in information-sharing, surveillance and training.
The health of Pacific communities is also a priority. With Australia’s existing $7.1 million (FJD 10.4 million) investment in Fiji’s health system, the two countries aim to strengthen responses to public health challenges like HIV/AIDS. Maritime security, shipbuilding partnerships, and expanded employment pathways for Fijians are all on the table as part of this growing collaboration.
Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation met with key Australian leaders including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Governor-General David Hurley, Minister for Pacific Affairs Pat Conroy, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland. These meetings, held in both formal and informal settings, helped cement what both sides see as a genuine friendship rather than just a diplomatic necessity.
The delegation’s itinerary also showcased the practical outcomes of the partnership already in motion. They visited the Pacific Policing Initiative hub in Brisbane’s Pinkenba district — a regional training centre where Fijian officers are part of a broader Pacific network.
At the Australian Border Force’s Maritime Border Command, Fiji’s role in protecting Pacific waters from illegal activities was in focus. Rabuka also spent time with the Royal Fiji Military Forces’ rotational unit, currently embedded with the Australian Defence Force’s 7th Brigade for Exercise South Queensland Warfighter.
The symbolism of the visit was clear: this is not a transactional relationship, but a shared journey. As the Pacific faces climate, economic and security pressures, Australia and Fiji are drawing closer — not just as neighbours, but as kin.
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