Australia Welcomes Fiji Elections Announcement

Australia Welcomes Fiji Elections Announcement

I welcome the announcement that Fijians will go to the polls from 6 - 13 May 2006.

In preparation for the elections, Australia will provide an additional $1 million in support to the Fiji Elections Office.

This brings total Australian support for the elections to $4 million.

The additional contribution will involve Australian Electoral Commission officers assisting with voter registration and electoral officer training.

Support will also be provided to the Fiji police for security and logistics during the elections.

And any request from Fiji for Australia to observe the elections will be very favourably considered.

Last year we announced $3 million to assist with election planning, budgeting, financial management and public education.

In order to give legitimacy and mandate to an elected government, voters need to be confident that the Fiji elections are conducted in a free and fair way.

This requires strong electoral systems and personnel.

Fiji's prosperity depends on political stability and economic growth and I look forward to working with the newly elected government of our close regional neighbour.

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