Parliament has approved the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union and Ocean of Peace Alliance treaties yesterday despite concerns raised by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence over legal, financial, and strategic implications of the agreements.
Speaking in support of the agreements, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka insisted the agreements would not transfer Fiji’s sovereignty or give Australia control over its foreign, defence or security policies.
Opposition MP Virendra Lal challenged the Government’s position, warning that the defence treaty carried serious obligations that Fiji should not accept without greater scrutiny.
“A collective defence alliance is not an ordinary agreement,” he said.
“It commits to war.”
He questioned the implications for Fiji’s independent foreign policy, military capabilities and ability to make sovereign decisions, arguing that the public had not been adequately consulted.
Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua, however, rejected concerns that the treaties would compromise Fiji’s sovereignty or automatically draw the country into war.
“Both countries will maintain control over their respective defence forces policies, third-party engagement, and military deployment,” he said.
Attorney-General Simione Valenitabua said either country retained the right to terminate the treaties if they no longer served its national interests.
Foreign Affairs Minister Sakiasi Ditoka also defended the partnership, saying cooperation with Australia did not mean Fiji would surrender its independence.
“Being part of a family does not mean surrendering one’s dignity, independence or right to make decisions,” he said.
Mr Rabuka said the Government would maintain oversight of the agreements and report annually to Parliament on their implementation and outcomes.
