Australia to grow Fiji ties after Rabuka visit
Australia has agreed to a fresh commitment of $52 million of support, with a focus on border security, taking commitments to the Melanesian nation to just under $500 million over the next four years.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has also announced a deepening of policing and security ties, including officers and advisers to be embedded in Fijian operations.
"Australia and Fiji are taking steps to formally elevate and deepen the Vuvale Partnership as we work together to ensure a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific," Senator Wong said.
The border security funding of $12 million will "strengthen border security by improving shipping container screening at Lautoka and Suva Ports".
It's hoped this will tackle the growing illicit drugs crisis in Fiji, with the regional hub increasingly used by trafficking cartels as a gateway to the lucrative Australian market.
Mr Rabuka arrived in Canberra last week, meeting with governor-general Sam Mostyn before a series of meetings with Australian officials, including Mr Albanese.
He addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday, calling for a deepening of defence ties and raised the prospect of Fijian soldiers serving in the the Australian Defence Forces.
He rebuked China's security ambitions for the region, saying Fiji would not welcome a military base in its territory or the wider Pacific.
That is in keeping with Mr Rabuka's "Ocean of Peace" proposal, a vision for a peaceful and collaborative region that the veteran prime minister hopes to codify at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting in September.
Australia has offered support for that proposal when it comes before the region's leaders at the annual summit, to be hosted in the Solomon Islands.
Senator Wong and Pacific island Minister Pat Conroy, said Australia had also agreed to explore further co-operation with Fiji on several other areas.
That includes developing a "modern, cyber-secure border management system", co-operation on transnational crime and policing.
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