Aus gives $81m as budget support

The Australian government has given $81 million for the national budget.

While signing the Direct Funding Arrangement, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says they have identified different areas where they have undertaken policy reforms.

He says the government has a very significant challenge on our end as they have a heavy commitment to debt repayment.

Prof. Prasad says they have significantly in the last five months focused on their partnership with their traditional partners in particular democratic partners.

He says they are genuinely trying to strengthen their economic and strategic relationships, as well as making sure that they as a government undertake reforms to provide accountability, transparency and take these principles of good governance, freedom and respect for human rights and gender.

He adds they see the budget as a significant opportunity for them to continue with the recovery and at the same time, making sure that they look after the people.

Australian Chargé d'affaires to Fiji Stuart Watts says this budget support would not have been possible without the many positive reforms the government of Fiji has and continues to undertake.

He says the government of Fiji and Australia negotiated a range of ambitious reforms in the areas of public financial management, private sector led economic recovery and enhancing climate disaster and social resilience.

Watts has also commended the coalition government's appetite to undertake such an ambitious reform initiative and successfully complete it.

He adds Australia has given $290 million in budget support in the last three years.