Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is leading a government delegation in his first Guest of Government visit to Australia today.
This visit marks a crucial step to further strengthening Fiji and Australia’s bilateral relations and cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, health and education, labour mobility and regional solidarity, as underpinned in the Vuvale Partnership.
On the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, this is Rabuka’s first official visit to the ‘Land Down Under’ following last year’s general elections.
The Head of the People’s Coalition Government will undertake a series of formal engagements and bilateral meetings, including meeting the Fijian communities in Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane.
In a statement, the Government says that an important aspect of this official visit is the signing of the revised ‘Vuvale Partnership’, which will take place after the bilateral meeting between Rabuka and Albanese next Wednesday.
They say during this planned bilateral meeting, Rabuka seeks to reiterate his commitment to fostering peace in the Pacific, a cause that gained momentum during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Rabuka says Fiji and Australia are traditional partners, and we value our commitment to strengthen the Vuvale Partnership.
He says Fiji will reaffirm efforts to build a strong and sustainable future for our people and the Pacific.
The Prime Minister is also looking forward to meeting the Fijian seasonal workers, who are presently in Australia under the Fiji-Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme.
Rabuka says he will be visiting Fijian workers, and looks forward to having productive discussions with them regarding their work.
He says the government is working with Australia to further boost our cooperation in the area of labour mobility.
The official visit underlines Fiji’s commitment to strengthening her people-to-people links, trade and investment ties, and defence and security.
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