I acknowledge Prime Minister Rabuka.
Ministers and Members of Parliament.
Chair of the Great Council of Chiefs.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
And Ms Djapirri Mununggirritj, a senior Yolŋu woman from the Gumatj clan from North East Arnhem Land.
First Nations Australians and Fijian communities share a deeply historic and cultural connection.
One that is shaped by resilience, community leadership, and relationships with land and sea.
Ladies and gentlemen –
We come together today to celebrate the proud story of our Vuvale Reunion – and the new chapter of our Alliance
Above all, we gather as family.
A connection deeper than geography or history.
A bond anchored in our truest strength: our people, our values and our shared aspirations.
Because just as the people we serve: Australians and Fijians work hard to build a good life for their families.
To pass on to their children a future of greater security and more opportunity.
That same determination, that same pact between generations, brings our Vuvale together.
Two nations, one family, dedicated to building a future those who come after us will be proud to inherit.
I especially want to thank Prime Minister Rabuka for his generosity and his commitment to that shared goal.
The Fiji-Australia relationship means a lot to him – just as it does to me.
Because we know how much it means to our citizens.
We see that when our police and military personnel train together.
When our communities work together.
When our students learn together.
And when our businesses trade together and grow together.
As Prime Minster Rabuka has said in the past, the relationship between our two nations is one:
“Where mateship and Vuvale – the family – rest on trust, loyalty, respect, understanding, and responsibility.”
That trust and responsibility is important.
Because together, Australia and Fiji play a critical role in the region we share.
That’s why in 2023 – and again in 2025 – we chose to deepen our partnership in the Vuvale Union.
We chose to strengthen our commitment to promote peace.
We chose to go further in building our collective economic resilience.
We chose to fortify our bonds in the interest of upholding democracy, stability and sovereignty.
And of course, as is tradition, we chose to celebrate the fact we are two nations and two peoples that love of our sport.
Our partnership – and our obsession – with all things rugby spans decades.
And I am delighted to announce at this reunion that under Vuvale, Australia will increase our investment in the formidable Fijian Drua.
Sport has a special power to reach us, to move us, to inspire us and unite us.
In joy and sadness, in victory and defeat, it brings us together.
And I’m proud that Australia is helping the Drua showcase Fijian talent at the elite level – and inspire the next generation at the grassroots.
Distinguished guests
For our family, the Blue Pacific is home.
And for our stability, our security and our prosperity, we must work together to ensure it is an ocean of peace.
That is Prime Minister Rabuka’s vision.
And it is Australia’s determination. Now under our new Ocean of Peace Alliance, Australia and Fiji are joined in this cause as allies.
This is a historic step for both of our great countries.
Through 125 years of Australia’s Federation, Fiji is only the fourth country with whom we have signed an alliance.
And every Australian will take pride in the fact that our nation is Fiji’s first ally.
Your choice honours us.
This new Alliance builds on strong foundations.
A shared resolve to see peace and prosperity flourish and a common understanding that security in our region must come from within the Pacific family.
That’s what our mutual defence obligation is about:
Increased interoperability.
Closer communication and cooperation.
Skills and information that will be shared into the future, safeguarding the sovereignty of both our nations.
The Ocean of Peace is an Alliance that is right for the times and ready for the future.
As we navigate the rough seas of global uncertainty.
This agreement keeps our eyes on the horizon
If we hold to our course, if we trust in our mateship and Vuvale, we can secure the Ocean of Peace for both our nations, for all our neighbours and for the future of the Blue Pacific.