Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced the contribution of $A4million ($F5.7m) to aid Fiji’s response plan to the HIV/AIDS outbreak.
Ms Wong also reassured Fiji of Australia’s support, saying Australia is a partner Fiji can count on and is “here to stay”.
On the issue of an open visa policy between Fiji and Australia, the minister said she hopes to see more movement between the people of the Pacific and Australia.
“We take our place in the Pacific family seriously,” Ms Wong said.
“We recognise our responsibility and our friendship and partnership with you.
“And we approach the relationship with respect and a degree of understanding.”
Responding to questions on whether Australia would provide additional support in the wake of funding withdrawal by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms Wong said they had already made some responses.
“We already have, in terms of the global aid cuts and the decisions by the US administration.
“We have already taken some decisions in response to that.
“In the last budget, we lifted our development assistance so it is at a higher level than it has ever been.
“We have also reprioritised that assistance because of the need in our region, and because of the consequences of some of the US cuts.”
Ms Wong said 75 cents of every Australian development dollar was directed to the region.
“We have a strong bilateral development program with the countries of the Pacific including Fiji where I think the last annual bilateral program was $123million.
“I think we are providing that leadership.
“We are not a superpower but we are a committed, constant member of the Pacific family.”
