VISIT TO FIJI

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, will travel to Fiji from 1-2 November 2017 to discuss Australia’s growing bilateral defence relationship and our shared regional and global security priorities.  

Minister Payne will meet Fiji’s Minister for National Security and Defence, the Hon Ratu Inoke Kubuabola MP, and Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, in Nadi. This builds on Minister Kubuabola’s successful visit to Brisbane in March.

Minister Payne said the visit marks a significant milestone in the deepening bilateral defence relationship.

Australia and Fiji have a long history of working together in the Pacific region to build national and regional resilience to reduce the likelihood of instability and the impact of regional threats.

In the 2016 Defence White Paper Australia committed to increasing international engagement particularly with the countries of the South Pacific and South East Asia, to support our collective capacity to address common threats and security challenges.

“Fiji is a key regional security partner in the South Pacific and I am pleased that our defence relationship continues to go from strength-to-strength,” Minister Payne said.

"Our defence forces are increasing their engagement, particularly in the areas of maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and peacekeeping.

“This visit is an opportunity to further improve close cooperation on important regional and global issues.”

Minister Payne will also visit the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Blackrock base, where the Republic of Fiji Military Forces conducts pre-deployment training for its personnel for United Nations peacekeeping operations.