CIAO DATE: 04/2015
September 2014
Lowy Institute for International Policy
In this Lowy Institute Policy Brief, Melanesia Program Director Jenny Hayward-Jones examines the significance of Fiji's elections on 17 September for Australian policy towards Fiji. She argues that the election will only be the first step in Fiji's transition to democracy after eight years of Voreqe Bainimarama's military rule. Australia should use its influence to assist the workings of the Fiji Parliament, the development of an unfettered civil society and media and an independent judiciary.
Resource link: Fiji's election and Australia: the terms of re-engagement [PDF] - 751K