Australia takes tough line with Fiji

Updated December 12, 2008 19:27:25

Australia has toughened its tone with Fiji after regional ministers admitted the March 2009 deadline for democratic elections won't be met.

Kevin Rudd says democracy is not optional. And he's lashed out at Fiji's interim government for attacking the freedom of the country's media. After the failure of Pacific Island Forum ministers to get an agreement for a March poll, attention is now on what further measures might be taken against Fiji.

Presenter:Linda Mottram
Speakers:Kevin Rudd, Australian Prime Minister; Allan Gyngell, Director Lowy Institute for International Policy

LINDA MOTTRAM: Australia's position on Fiji was already firm. It was the tone, as well as the content, of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's latest remarks that was designed to drive home the message, with Mr Rudd in particular noting attacks on media freedom in Fiji.

KEVIN RUDD: This government takes democracy in the Pacific island countries seriously. It is not optional. It is what we do in our part of the world, and for there to be any exception, particularly the way in which this bunch have belted around the free media for example in Fiji, and have traduced the democratic processes, we're not about to stand idly by while this happens. We've taken a hard diplomatic line on this. Further actions as necessary will be taken.

LINDA MOTTRAM: It's now conceded that Commodore Frank Bainimarama will not be meeting his original commitment to hold elections in Fiji by March 2009. Ministers speaking after the Pacific Islands Forum contact group gathering in Suva this week were openly acknowledging what had been evident for some time. As for what comes next, former Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudry told reporters after the contact group meeting that the group was now demanding a definite election date from the interim government, though that was not confirmed by the contact group.
But it is also clear that Fiji will remain an intense point of focus for Australia in the new year.

Allan Gyngell is a former Australian diplomat, was an advisor to former Prime Minister Paul Keating and now heads the Lowy Institute for International Policy.

ALLAN GYNGELL: I think it will be I think it does have to be addressed seriously, I don't think we can just ignore this particular elephant in the room on the Pacific. Other things I think are going very well in the region but in the end, the regional community does need to deal with Fiji and of course next year Australia will be hosting the Pacific Islands Forum so its going to be even more centrally on the Rudd government's agenda.

LINDA MOTTRAM: So now the key question for the forum -- and for the Commonwealth from which Fiji remains suspended -- is what further actions to take to get Commodore Bainimarama's compliance. Australia's Foreign minister Stephen Smith says the Pacific Islands Forum will have to consider suspending Fiji. He also says that the economic decline being suffered by Fiji is the result of walking away from democracy. The next formal opportunity to discuss the issue will be when Pacific Islands ministers hold a special meeting to hear from the contact group, probably early next year. In the meantime, the talk is of the need to continue dialogue.