Australia to co-lead international observation of Fijian election

Australia will co-lead the Multinational Observation Group for the Fiji elections on 17 September, at the invitation of Fiji.

This development is a further sign of the Australian Government's commitment to normalise relations with Fiji, as well as our support to Fiji's electoral process and return to democracy.

Australia will be represented in the Multinational Observation Group by the Hon Peter Reith, an experienced former Cabinet minister with a strong interest in supporting democracy internationally. Mr Reith will lead a group of Australian observers consisting of a bipartisan group of current and former parliamentarians, as well as experts and officials.

Australian officials will deploy to Suva in coming days to establish a Secretariat and to begin the mission's work.

In addition to Australia, Fiji has also invited India, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to co-lead the mission. We look forward to working closely with the other co-lead nations, as well as with all other participating countries.

Australia welcomes Fiji's finalisation of the Terms of Reference for the observer mission. At a meeting in Suva on Tuesday with Fiji's Attorney-General, Australia's acting High Commissioner to Fiji signed the Terms of Reference on behalf of Australia.

As the Terms of Reference make clear, the Multinational Observation Group will have freedom of movement throughout Fiji and will communicate with the Fijian Government, political parties and other social and political organisations in Fiji. As invited by Fiji, it will assess whether the outcome of the general election broadly represents the will of the Fijian voters.