Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s high-level visit to Australia has highlighted the deepening of the Vuvale Partnership, with a series of diplomatic, cultural and strategic engagements reinforcing shared values, mutual respect, and regional cooperation.
Upon his arrival in Canberra, Prime Minister Rabuka was honoured with a traditional “Welcome to Country” ceremony led by Ngunnawal Senior Elder Violet Sheridan. The ceremony, an expression of cultural inclusion and recognition, took place on the ancestral lands of the Ngunnawal people, where Australia’s Parliament and Government institutions are based.
“This welcome is a powerful reminder of the deep cultural heritage and connection to land that our peoples share across the Pacific,” Rabuka said.
“I offer my respect to the Elders, past, present and emerging, and I pray for blessings and unity among our people.”
The ACT Attorney-General, Tara Cheyne MLA, who attended the ceremony, said Rabuka’s visit was “a testament to the enduring bonds between Australia and Fiji,” and applauded the strengthening of collaboration across shared priorities—from regional security to climate resilience.
In a key diplomatic moment, Prime Minister Rabuka met with Governor-General, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn, at Government House. During the meeting, Rabuka congratulated her on her appointment and reaffirmed the strength of the elevated Vuvale Partnership. He praised Australia’s contributions to Fiji’s development through budget support, infrastructure investment, private sector growth, and economic reforms.
The two also discussed sports diplomacy, with Rabuka highlighting the Vuvale Bowl rugby initiative and Fiji Airways’ sponsorships of major Australian sporting teams including the ACT Brumbies and Melbourne Storm. He also welcomed growing engagement with the AFL following his February meeting with the St Kilda Football Club in Suva.
On tourism, Rabuka noted that Australia remains Fiji’s largest visitor market, contributing to Fiji surpassing one million tourist arrivals in 2024—45% of whom came from Australia. He acknowledged the vital role of the Fijian diaspora in Australia, which numbers over 70,000 and supports Fiji through remittances and investments.
On the regional front, Rabuka reaffirmed Fiji’s support for Australia’s bid to host COP31 and highlighted the importance of the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara, where he hopes to gain support for the landmark “Ocean of Peace” Declaration.
Her Excellency Mostyn expressed her gratitude for the discussions and stressed the importance of continuing to build the partnership through mutual trust and shared commitment to the Blue Pacific Continent.
Security and defence were also major themes of the visit. In a bilateral meeting with Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Rabuka discussed enhancing cooperation between key security agencies including the Fiji Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Fiji Immigration, Australian Border Force, RFMF and ADF.
The leaders agreed to strengthen joint efforts to combat transnational organised crime, cybercrime, people and drug smuggling, and to roll out joint training programs and digital border systems.
“There is a clear understanding that cooperation must scale up to meet current and emerging challenges,” Rabuka said. Minister Burke reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to working with Fiji to build regional resilience, noting that “our partnership is grounded in trust and mutual respect.”
The bilateral meetings were attended by senior Fijian ministers and officials, including Pio Tikoduadua (Defence and Veterans Affairs), Viliame Naupoto (Immigration), Ioane Naivalurua (Policing), Dr Lesi Korovavala, Amena Yauvoli and Commodore Humphrey Tawake.
Rabuka is also set to meet members of the Fijian diaspora in Canberra and Brisbane, reflecting the Coalition Government’s priority to engage with Fijians abroad.
This visit builds on the momentum from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s trip to Fiji in June 2025. In Nadi, Albanese met with Rabuka and stated:
“Visiting Fiji so soon after the election is a deliberate decision to reinforce my Government’s Pacific priorities and to exchange views with my dear friend Prime Minister Rabuka, a respected Pacific statesman.”
While Prime Minister Rabuka continues his official program in Australia, Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka is serving as Acting Prime Minister in Suva.
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