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Australia has ruled out easing travel bans on the Fiji government as long as there is a lack of progress towards returning Fiji to democracy and the rule of law.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra says it has noted a paper by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute which calls on Australia to soften its stance towards Fiji.
Radio New Zealand International reports the Department says as soon as Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama's government takes credible and concrete steps to return Fiji to democracy and the rule of law, consideration will be given to moderating travel and other sanctions.
It says travel sanctions, which apply to less than one per cent of Fiji’s population, remain an effective means of encouraging a return to democracy and the rule of law.
Canberra has also ruled out a resumption of defence cooperation as suggested by the report.
The Department says Fiji’s suspension from the Forum and involvement in PACER Plus is a matter for the entire region to decide upon.
It also says Fiji continues to benefit from privileged access to Australian markets, and Australia remains the largest foreign investor in Fiji, one of its top trading partners and its major source of tourism.
