CIAO DATE: 06/2011
May 2011
Lowy Institute for International Policy
Australia’s tough-love policy towards Fiji has failed to convince the government of Voreqe Bainimarama to restore democracy. The Fiji government has instead developed new partnerships which undermine Australia’s influence. Australia’s reputation for regional leadership and as a creative middle power on the world stage is at risk of being diminished by the Fiji government’s resistance to pressure. In this Policy Brief, Jenny Hayward-Jones argues that Australia should redefine its relationship with Fiji to focus more sharply on Australia’s long-term interests. The Australian government should build a new coalition with some non-traditional partners such as Indonesia, India and Malaysia which works with Fiji to develop a package of assistance for electoral and constitutional reform, consistent with Fiji’s 2014 election timetable. Australia should also offer a range of confidence-building measures that will help it stake a role in Fiji’s transition to democracy.
Australia’s tough-love policy towards Fiji has failed to convince the government of Voreqe Bainimarama to restore democracy. The Fiji government has instead developed new partnerships which undermine Australia’s influence. Australia’s reputation for regional leadership and as a creative middle power on the world stage is at risk of being diminished by the Fiji government’s resistance to pressure. In this Policy Brief, Jenny Hayward-Jones argues that Australia should redefine its relationship with Fiji to focus more sharply on Australia’s long-term interests. The Australian government should build a new coalition with some non-traditional partners such as Indonesia, India and Malaysia which works with Fiji to develop a package of assistance for electoral and constitutional reform, consistent with Fiji’s 2014 election timetable. Australia should also offer a range of confidence-building measures that will help it stake a role in Fiji’s transition to democracy.
Resource link: Policy overboard: Australia's increasingly costly Fiji drift [PDF] - 534K