Newly released Australian cabinet papers reveal that in 2005 the Howard government believed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase had succeeded in isolating Fiji’s military commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, by rallying powerful traditional institutions behind his controversial Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity Bill.
The documents — declassified on January 1 — form part of a National Security Committee briefing that examined escalating political tensions in Fiji a year before the 2006 coup.
The papers describe the dispute between the Government of Fiji and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces as the “immediate problem” facing the country, centred on the Bill introduced by Qarase’s government to consolidate political support and promote national reconciliation.
The most contentious provision — an amnesty mechanism — was widely seen as opening the door to pardons for individuals involved in the 2000 coup. It drew sharp criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups and the Fiji Human Rights Commission, as well as Bainimarama himself, who had publicly warned he would “take action against the GoF if the Bill is not withdrawn or its amnesty provision removed.”
But the cabinet brief says Qarase had methodically shored up backing from Fiji’s traditional leadership.
“Prime Minister Qarase has weakened Commodore Bainimarama’s position by winning overwhelming support for the Bill from the Fijian establishment, notably the 14 Provincial Councils and the Great Council of Chiefs,” the document stated.
While the Great Council of Chiefs urged government to consider concerns raised during consultations, its endorsement nonetheless left the military commander increasingly isolated politically.
According to the papers, Qarase sought to project reassurance both domestically and internationally, signalling he was open to “any reasonable suggestions” while awaiting the findings of a parliamentary committee and international legal advice.
The report noted that the review committee was expected to table its findings later that year, although amendments and re-drafting could push finalisation of the legislation into the following year.
Australian officials also observed that, despite the underlying tension, the government’s extended consultations were easing the sense of crisis that had gripped Suva earlier in 2005.
“Prime Minister Qarase’s extended public consultations are helping to ease the previously prevailing atmosphere of crisis,” the paper recorded — but it cautioned that a confrontation between the government and the military could merely be postponed.
The declassified material offers a rare glimpse into Canberra’s assessment of Fiji’s internal political dynamics during a critical period, and how seriously Australia regarded the possibility of instability.
