PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Fiji is directing its limited financial resources toward strengthening regional security partnerships, including the Veitacini Treaty, even if it means reducing spending in some areas at home.
Speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Mr Rabuka said the Government had made difficult budget decisions to balance domestic priorities with its regional commitments.
He said unlike larger economies, Fiji did not have the capacity to generate significant savings while increasing spending in multiple sectors, forcing the Government to prioritise funding.
In comparison, Mr Albanese said Australia had been able to substantially increase its defence spending while also finding savings elsewhere in the budget.
He said the Australian Government had committed an additional $AU53billion ($F82.4b) in defence funding over the next decade, arguing that effective national security required investment in military capability rather than rhetoric.
“We have increased spending, but importantly, we have increased effectiveness,” he said.
“You can’t defend your country or any other country with a media release, what you defend it with is assets.”
