AUSTRALIA’S High Commissioner to Fiji, Peter Roberts, has called for greater economic integration between Fiji and Australia, citing record trade figures and a longstanding spirit of cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking at a packed Australia Day commemoration in Suva attended by cabinet ministers, diplomats, and business leaders, Roberts challenged both nations to build on their success.
“Last year, our two-way trade was $4.4 billion. There was a significant surplus in that trade for Fiji. Of course, Australians are the number one visitor to Fiji, around 45%,” he said. “It makes sense for Australia and Fiji to be more economically integrated, for our economic systems to connect and work together, to build supply chains and provide economic security for each other.”
Roberts also highlighted the unique personal and institutional ties binding the two countries.
“At the heart of our relationship is our affinity for each other. From the top of government to kids in the street, we just get on. We share a lot of values, we share a lot of history, and we support each other,” he noted.
The High Commissioner pointed to last year’s joint participation in Australia’s largest defence exercise, Talisman Sabre, as a symbol of deep trust and partnership.
“It is the ultimate expression of trust and partnership between countries that we can exercise together, that our defence systems are increasingly interoperable, that we embed people in each other’s systems.”
Roberts urged leaders and the business community to think beyond traditional diplomatic and security ties: “Let’s think a bit more about what we can do together to support each other and share joint economic prosperity.”
The event, which included representatives from Fiji’s government, the diplomatic corps, and the Fiji-Australia business community, emphasized the growing regional significance of the partnership.