Opposition MP hails strengthened Fiji-Australia policing ties under Vuvale Partnership
Opposition Member of Parliament Faiyaz Koya has welcomed the deepening policing ties between Fiji and Australia, saying the Vuvale Partnership is essential to curbing transnational crime and safeguarding Fiji’s borders. Koya’s comments came in response to a ministerial statement by Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua, with the MP noting the partnership has “gone from strength to strength” and thanking Australia for its ongoing support.
“I think this particular partnership that we have with the Australian Government is quite important; the strength of it is quite phenomenal,” Koya said. He pointed to the Free Uplift Programme, which aims to lift the Fiji Police Force’s operational effectiveness and, in turn, boost public trust. “The public trust in our institutions must always be at optimum level,” he added, highlighting leadership development, human resources, ethics, and communications as key focus areas receiving Australian assistance.
Koya also cited the Solesolevaki Agreement as a vehicle for capability development and for examining Fiji’s security vulnerabilities, arguing the partnership would deliver meaningful benefits for all Fijians. He emphasized the importance of community policing, especially in rural areas and schools, and welcomed plans for Australian Federal Police officers to be embedded within the Fiji Police Force. “This is only going to be beneficial to us because of the vast amount of experience that comes with it, and it is beneficial to our Fiji Police Force to learn from it,” he said.
Regionally, Koya noted Fiji’s leadership role and the broader regional dimension of the partnership, which supports intelligence sharing and neighbourly cooperation in light of escalating transnational crime worldwide. He stressed the need to stay ahead of threats as porous borders require constant vigilance. Training and technical support under the partnership were cited as invaluable, particularly in addressing drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
Context from related developments shows a broader push to modernize Fiji’s policing capacity and security infrastructure through the Vuvale Partnership. Earlier reports point to investments in border security upgrades, the embedding of AFP personnel within the Fiji Police Force, and joint training and intelligence-sharing initiatives designed to disrupt criminal networks and strengthen regional stability. The partnership has also been linked to discussions about a new Fiji Police Headquarters and enhanced maritime security capabilities, underscoring a shared commitment to a safer Pacific region.
Commentary and outlook
Experts suggest that the strengthened Vuvale Partnership reflects a strategic shift toward deeper regional policing cooperation, with Australia playing a central role in modernizing Fiji’s law enforcement through manpower, technology, and infrastructure support. While the benefits are evident in increased training, better intelligence flow, and stronger capacity to counter transnational crime, continued transparency and accountability will be essential to maintaining public trust as these initiatives roll out.
Summary
The Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership is expanding in key policing areas, including training, embedded AFP officers, and leadership development, with a focus on countering transnational crime and safeguarding borders. Opposition voices welcome the gains and regional collaboration, while authorities stress the importance of ongoing support and transparent implementation.
Fijian Summary
Veivakadonui mai na veika gauna qo na Vuvale Partnership ka vakadinadinataka na vuvale ni veitaqomaki ena wili kina na koro ki na veidokadokado ni qito vakaloloma kei na veivanua era kaya ni na vakavuna na veika vinaka vei keda kece. Na matanivuka e vakamacalataka tiko na iTukutuku ni Veivakabulai e vaqaqacotaki ena vakadidike ni qito vakaloloma, na veivakadonui ni dodonu, kei na veivakadanumi ni vakailavo. Na vakatagi ni veivakatorocaketaki me baleta na veiqaravi ni poloseivaki, na veivakatorocaketaki ni veika rarawa, kei na veivucaqacqua ni veituberi. E vakavinakataki talega na veiqaravi ni veiwekani vakavanua kei na vuravura, me baleta na bibi ni maroroi ni yago kei na salasala ni wiliwili.
Na ivakatakarakara mai na veidinadinati mai lia na vanua vakaitaukei ni LOTU kei na veiqaravi ni AFP me vukea na Fiji mai na veika rarawa me vaka na veisau ni iyau ni poloseivaki kei na veidigidigi. E tu vakarau me wili kina na veika e caka me baleta na veiqaravi ni wiliwili, na kena vakavinakataki na itukutuku kei na veitili ni veivakadonui.
Additional notes
– The ongoing Vuvale Partnership is presented here as a multi-faceted security and governance effort, with emphasis on policing capacity, border management, and regional collaboration.
– If you’d like, I can add a short sidebar with key numbers and upcoming milestones (e.g., projected timelines for embedded AFP postings, headquarters upgrades, or funded programs) as a quick reference for readers.
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