Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the funding reflects his Government’s commitment to ensuring regional areas have the infrastructure they need to thrive.

“We live in the greatest country in the world, and I’m proud of our Indigenous heritage. But we should not be ashamed of celebrating our national day.”

The workshop was organised by Suva-based civil society organisation, Dialogue Fiji, in collaboration with Emily’s List Australia and funded by Misereor.

Once finished by 2030, the upgrades will provide 11 million homes and businesses with access to speeds of up to 1GB per second, significantly outpacing the current average speed of 76.64 Mbps.

“The keys to The Lodge lie in three places—Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne”

Critics argue the expanded Cabinet is unnecessary for a nation of Fiji’s size, especially during a period of austerity.

The government’s housing package aims to unlock 1,367 new homes across the state, with funding allocated to essential infrastructure projects such as water, power, and roads.

As the clock ticks down to the election, the battle lines have been drawn, and both leaders are rallying their bases for a critical year in Australian politics.

"Labor has given up solving the cost of living crisis. All they have is nasty personal smears against Peter Dutton and his family."

Brad Battin MP now faces the challenge of uniting the party and positioning it as a viable alternative to Premier Jacinta Allan’s government ahead of the next state election.