Fiji has expressed its desire to see an increase in the number of Fijians and Pacific islanders in the Australian Seasonal Worker Programme.

This message was conveyed by Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola to the Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Steven Ciobo in a meeting yesterday.

Kubuabola also thanked the Australian government for
providing short-term employment opportunities to Fijians through its Seasonal Worker Scheme.

Australia and Fiji will sign an agreement formalising the scheme in Suva this morning.

On regional issues, Kubuabola explored ways in which Fiji and Australia could work in partnership to assist in the rehabilitation efforts in Vanuatu in the aftermath of cyclone Pam.