Fiji's Parliament approved two treaties with Australia on Friday, November 6, including a mutual defence pact, despite committee warnings about national independence and military obligations.
The agreements passed by 27 votes to seven, with one abstention and 18 MPs not voting. Prime Ministers Sitiveni Rabuka and Anthony Albanese signed them in Suva on July 6.
Under the Ocean of Peace Alliance, also called the Veitacini Treaty, each country commits to act if the other comes under armed attack in the Pacific. Each government would decide how to respond under its own laws. The treaty does not specifically require Fiji to deploy troops.
The second treaty, the Vuvale Union, aims to deepen cooperation in health, education, infrastructure and security. Australia has announced more than A$1 billion in new investment over ten years, including approximately A$674 million in grants and A$350 million in concessional loans.
Before the vote, Fiji's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence recommended delaying approval while the government sought further negotiations with Australia. It questioned who would authorise military assistance, how visiting foreign forces would operate, and whether Fiji could maintain an independent foreign policy.
The committee also raised concerns about limited public consultation and said it had received no answers to written legal questions sent to the Solicitor-General.
During Friday's debate, opposition MPs warned that Fiji could be drawn into a conflict involving Australia. Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua said the pact would not automatically require Fijian troops to fight, while Rabuka insisted Fiji would retain control of its foreign and defence decisions.
Rabuka also promised annual reports to Parliament on the agreements' implementation.
Parliament's approval is an important step, but the treaties do not take effect simply because MPs voted for them. The defence agreement must first be formally ratified by both countries. The economic agreement takes effect once Fiji and Australia have each confirmed that their legal requirements are complete.
New Zealand announced in July that it would explore joining the defence alliance, but has not announced a final decision.
