Salutations
Acting Attorney-General & Minister for Justice, and Acting Minister for Policing & Communication. Hon Siromi Turaga
Your Excellency, The Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, Mr Peter Roberts OAM
Head of the Pacific and the Australian Government’s Lead Negotiator, Ms Elizabeth Peak
Distinguished Members of the Australian Government delegation
The Fijian Government Lead Negotiator, Permanent Secretaries, Commander RFMF, Commissioner of Police, members of the Fijian Government delegation
Turaga nai Talatala
Ladies and gentlemen
The Vuvale Union: A New Chapter for Fiji and Australia
Since its inception, I believe we’re all familiar with the features of the Vuvale; in particular ‘what Vuvale stands for’ and ‘what it stands on.’
In 2025, Pacific Leaders declared our Blue Pacific Continent an ‘Ocean of Peace’. Leaders called on states and non-state actors to align all engagement with the Pacific’s vision for collective peace, security and prosperity – where we actively work together in the Pacific Way, through Pacific-led approaches for Pacific specific solutions.
The Vuvale Union is a practical expression of that vision and marks a new chapter in the relationship between Fiji and Australia. First and foremost, this is a partnership; and it testifies to the maturity of our relations.
I acknowledge with gratitude the friendship and trust of the Australian government, in particular, to the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese, that we’re able to take this journey together.
This treaty is unique and special. It elevates and sets the direction and tone of Fiji and Australia’s relations for centuries to come.
This relationship did not just happen. Within our proximity, common values and love of rugby, the two countries have stood together in many theaters of conflicts and continuing today, in peace operations around the world.
In Europe in WW1, in the Pacific War during WW2, in Malaya during the Emergency, in the peacekeeping missions around the world – in the Middle East (in Lebanon, Iraq, Golan and Sinai), in Europe (in Bosnia), in the African continent (in Sudan and South Sudan, Liberia). And closer to home, in Bougainville, Timor Leste, and Solomon Islands. Australia stood by Fiji during the COVID period. Now, together, we are confronted with another crisis – the fuel crisis.
We acknowledge that the Vuvale Union stands on the shoulders of our leaders and fellow citizens before us and those around us for the wellbeing of those after us. Those before us gave their everything that we that follow may have the space to decide, without coercion, the kind of futures we desire. In their memory also, we owe this commitment. This is at the heart of the Ocean of Peace vision.
The starting point, therefore, of this Union, is at a much higher level, where mate-ship and Vuvale – the Family – rests on trust, loyalty, respect, understanding and responsibility. This is the bedrock of our Union.
As a region, we know the price of the absence of peace. In distant nations in peace support operations, we know what it is to stand on the ‘red line’, stare into the despairing faces of the elderly, women, children and those who have lost the ability to determine their own destiny because of conflicts.
The Vuvale Union is not only for Fiji and Australia. Our ambition is that it is a tangible contribution to the Pacific family and provides a blueprint for the advancement of regionalism, unity and solidarity.
I am pleased with the systems and structural approach that you as a joint group have taken to explore and agree on the purpose, scope and frame of the Union.
We live in an increasingly dangerous world and our region faces serious threats, including transnational organised crime, health pressures, strategic contest and the existential threat of climate change.
At its heart, the Vuvale Union bolsters our sovereignty and agency. It strengthens our ability to shape a shared future, in ways fit for the century.
It recognizes our interests are intertwined and decisions taken by one affect the other. That we will cooperate to find solutions and act together as is necessary to face common challenges.
In this Union, we will intensify our diplomatic cooperation, dedicate resources to tackle key security challenges and maintain peace.
As security issues are essentially integrity issues these bring into focus the bundles of areas that are central to the very dignity of our nations and its peoples.
Areas for enhanced cooperation starts from traditional security sectors to transnational organized crime including drug, items and people trafficking and smuggling, terrorism, cybercrime, illegal, unregistered and unreported fishing, law and justice.
The inclusion of economic security brought into focus critical infrastructures, health (including HIV/Aids), education, job creation, migration and labour mobility, development, trade, and investment within the broader structures of our economy. This will make communities in both our countries safer and more resilient.
The Union sets a bold plan for greater integration. This will create new economic opportunities and linkages, supporting our peoples and businesses to seize opportunities and prosper over this decade and contribute to the prosperity of our region.
I thank both delegations who meet here in the next two days to negotiate the terms of this Union in this round. I acknowledge the full and robust team on the Australia side. I note that the Fijian side is being led by the Office of the Prime Minister that includes ten other core Ministries and agencies. I am informed that the security talk is now approaching its concluding stage as both sides are giving it special priority according to the ambitious timeline, we gave you.
From these talks sector engagements are being pursued directly between line Ministries and their Australian counterparts as in defence, policing, maritime security, border management cybercrime, trade and investment, finance, with others being lined up.
Conclusion
In closing, might I underscore the place of the vital ground, the very element that holds together all that we aspire to in this Union. We must uphold, protect and promote democracy. This is the vital piece without which all else cannot hold together. Democracy recognizes and facilitates the full potential of nations; it upholds the dignity of peoples, allows systems to evolve and the equilibrium to face head winds.
The Vuvale Union is a monumental step for Fiji and one we take with all seriousness in view of its meaning, intentions and impacts. We’re profoundly grateful that we’re taking this step with Australia.
As you consider the security of our two countries, how we should respond to the challenges, and the kind of impacts we want to see for the region and beyond, I wish you success and look forward to the outcomes.
May the hand of the Almighty abide, and his wisdom abound.
Vinaka vakalevu, thank you very much.
