Fiji committee says wait before approving security treaty with Australia

The committee wants a delay, not a rejection.

Confirmed

A committee of Fiji's parliament has said the country should wait before approving a security treaty with Australia. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported that the committee put the ratification of the Fiji-Australia Vuvale treaty on hold. Ratification is the final step that makes a treaty official. The Fiji Times also reported that the committee called for a delay. The committee is chaired by Lenora Qereqeretabua. The committee recommended deferring the treaty. It did not recommend rejecting it. Vuvale means family in Fijian. The treaty is about how the two countries work together on security. Australia has been building closer security ties with Pacific nations. We could not find a response from the Australian Government when we checked. It is not yet known how long the delay could last or what Fiji's parliament will decide.