Fiji’s traditional leader, the Tui Lau, Ratu Tevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara, has called for visa-free travel for Fijians to Australia and for Fijian students to gain access to domestic university fees before 2029, as Fiji and Australia deepen their relationship under the expanded Vuvale Union.
As per local media, Ratu Tevita welcomed the expanded Vuvale Union announced in Suva in July but said the requirement for Fijians to obtain a visa before travelling to Australia remained an unresolved issue.
He pointed to the existing arrangement under which Australians can travel to Fiji without obtaining a visa in advance, while Fijian travellers to Australia remain subject to Australia’s visa requirements.
“Vuvale means family, and in our custom, family does not apply at the door.”
Ratu Tevita argued that allowing Fijians to travel to Australia under a more reciprocal arrangement would give greater meaning to the two countries’ expanded “family” relationship.
Ratu Tevita also welcomed Australia’s commitment to allow eligible Fijian students to study at Australian universities under domestic fee arrangements from 2029.
However, he questioned why Fijian families should have to wait another three years.
“Every year between now and then is another year of our families paying international fees they cannot afford.”
The Tui Lau also highlighted the contribution of Fijian workers to the Australian economy, particularly in industries such as horticulture, meat processing and aged care.
He pointed to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, under which more than 5,000 Fijians were reportedly working in Australia in late 2025.
He cited estimates that Fijian workers sent about FJ$145.5 million back to Fiji in the year to June 2025.
Ratu Tevita said Fiji was also investing in the education and training of nurses, teachers and tradespeople whose skills were increasingly being used in Australia.
“If our people are good enough to hold up Australian farms and Australian hospitals today, then our children are good enough to sit in Australian lecture theatres at an Australian fee today, not in three years’ time.”
Speaking after returning from a five-day visit to Australia, Ratu Tevita also welcomed investment announced under Australia’s 2026–27 Budget in roads, airports, water, sanitation and energy infrastructure in Vanua Levu and Taveuni.
However, he questioned why comparable investment was not being directed towards Fiji’s maritime provinces.
His comments come as Australia and Fiji seek to broaden their bilateral relationship beyond traditional security and development cooperation through the expanded Vuvale Union.
The issue of mobility, education and employment remains particularly significant to the relationship, given the large number of Fijians working, studying and living in Australia.
Ratu Tevita Kapaiwai Lutunauga Uluilakeba Mara, widely known as Roko Ului, is the only surviving son of Fiji’s founding Prime Minister and former President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
He was installed as the fourth Tui Nayau on Nayau Island on 8 July 2025, marking the first time the chiefly title had been bestowed since 1969.
The installation included traditional rites, church blessings and ceremonies involving clan leaders. He now holds the titles Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua o Lau and Tui Lau, affirming his chiefly leadership within the Lau Group.
Ratu Tevita’s call places visa access, education costs and labour mobility at the centre of discussions over what the expanded Vuvale relationship should mean for ordinary Fijian families.
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