Australia and Fiji are family - Morrison

As the nation celebrates its 50th year of independence, Australia has reaffirmed that it will continue to strengthen its relationship with Fiji in these trying times.

In a video message to the Fijian people, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Fiji and Australia are family through the Vuvale Partnership where the two countries are forging a relationship based on trust, mutual respect and understanding.

Morrison says as a clear voice and contributor to international peacekeeping, Fiji and Australia have become more than just neighbours.

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds says Fiji demonstrated the strength of the relationship when they deployed their Bula Force to Australia to assist their communities ravaged by the bush fires.

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Alex Hawke says when Fiji was hit by COVID-19 in March and TC Harold in April, Australia was proud to support Fiji’s response to these challenges with medical supplies, humanitarian supplies and with budget support to stabilize Fiji’s finances in these extraordinary times.

Minister for Women and Foreign Affairs, Senator Marise Payne says over 600 awards have been given to Fijian students to study in Australian universities in the last 8 years.