Australia is grateful for Fiji’s generous offer to support their county’s emergency bushfire response through the provision of troops.

Australia is currently facing an unprecedented national disaster as bushfires continue to sweep across large parts of NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Inia Seruiratu says that Australia and Fiji have a long history of cooperation and support in times of natural disasters.

Seruiratu stressed that Fiji stands in solidarity with the people of Australia and is proud to offer military assistance.

He says in Fiji we have a word – Vuvale which means ‘family’ or ‘my home is your home’ adding that Australia and Fiji are family in every respect and we will support Australia in this difficult time.

The Defence Minister says Australian and Fijian militaries regularly exercise and train together and as such this military assistance embodies the principles of the Vuvale Partnership.

Australia’s Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds said Australia welcomes Fiji’s offer to provide an engineering platoon to assist in the bushfire fighting and recovery efforts.

Reynolds says Fiji’s offer of assistance exemplifies the strength of their ties with Pacific neighbors adding that this offer of friendship in a time of need is deeply appreciated and continues to demonstrate how Australia and Fiji are family.

Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne said Fiji’s offer to provide its own military personnel to support Australia is a valued reminder of the strength of the bonds between our two countries.