Grant assistance of AUD$35 million from the Australian government was received today by Minister for Economy and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at Suvavou House.
Sayed-Khaiyum says this direct budget support was not budgeted for in this financial year.
He says the impact of the past couple of weeks has had an enormous impact on the government's ability to cater for the revenue it had already factored into the budget.
The Attorney General adds this is part of the overall government reform that they have been working on with the Australian and New Zealand governments and multilateral partners like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
Sayed-Khaiyum says the AUD$20 million earlier provided went towards the Poverty Benefit Scheme, Care and Protection Allowance and Disability Allowance.
He says they look forward to further collaboration with the Australian government.
Australia's High Commissioner John Feakes says it was great to see Sayed-Khaiyum back and looking so fit.
He says they are delighted to provide this extra funding built on their previous support to Fiji.
