Australian PM announces that Fiji has been included in the Pacific Labour Scheme

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced several assistance packages Australia would be providing to Fiji in the next few years with the major highlight being Fiji's inclusion in the Pacific Labour Scheme.

He met with Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama this afternoon and following the meeting made the announcements.

Morrison says they are beginning work on Fiji’s entry into the Australian Pacific Labour Scheme and they look forward to that playing out in the course of the next year and beyond.

Morrison has also announced that Australia will work with Fiji on a comprehensive border security assistance package.

He says in the weeks ahead there will be high level delegations from Australia’s border agencies coming to Fiji to put together the details and arrangements of the border security assistance package.

The Australian Prime Minister has also announced that through the Pacific Partnership Maritime Security Program two patrol boards will also be given to Fiji.

He has also announced the Australia University of the South Pacific Partnership which will be worth more than $84 million over the next 6 years.

Morrison says this will ensure that teritiary education in Fiji will be able to meet future needs.

He also says that the Australian government in partnership with Free TV in Australia will commit $17.1 million to provide 1,000 hours of new Australian TV content each year for three years for Pacific broadcasters.

Morrison says this will include opportunities here in Fiji.

Earlier today, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that Fiji and Australia are nations of great friendship.

Thanks, @FijiPM Bainimarama, for the wonderful welcome to Fiji 🇫🇯 pic.twitter.com/jNEwIFYhTw

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) January 17, 2019

While speaking at the traditional welcoming ceremony at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Morrison says that as he and Fiji’s Prime Minister Bainimarama have discussed a number of times, Fiji and Australia is also like family.

He says they have come to Fiji in the spirit of family.

The traditional welcoming ceremony was done by members of the RFMF.

Morrison also paid a courtesy call to the President Jioji Konrote at Borron House earlier this afternoon.

Morrison’s wife, Jenny was also accompanied by Mary Bainimarama and Australian High Commissioner’s wife, Alison Feakes to the Fiji Museum Gallery where Mrs Morrison was presented with a gift.

Mrs Bainimarama, Mrs Morrison, Mrs Feakes and the Health Minister, Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete also toured the CWM Children’s Ward.

The Australian Prime Minister attended a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Veiuto before attending a welcoming reception and official dinner hosted by Prime Minister Bainimarama at Grand Pacific Hotel at 7 tonight.