Joint Media Release
- Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, Minister for Defence
- The Hon Inia Seruiratu, Minister for National Security, Defence and Foreign Affairs (Fiji)
Australia and Fiji have reaffirmed our two nations' commitment to an enduring defence relationship during a five-day visit to Australia by Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, the Honourable Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama as a Guest of Government.
Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the visit highlights the strength of the two nation's security cooperation, which is a key pillar of the Fiji-Australia Vuvale partnership signed by Prime Ministers Morrison and Bainimarama in Canberra earlier today.
"This continued partnership demonstrates our enduring relationship which is strengthened through enhanced interoperability and the ability to work together to tackle security challenges in our region and globally," Minister Reynolds said.
"During the visit, both nations announced the next phase of the Blackrock Camp redevelopment as well as cooperation on the design of a new Fiji Maritime Essential Services Centre, which will incorporate the Republic of Fiji Navy Headquarters, the Fiji Maritime Surveillance and Rescue Coordination Centre, Coastal Radio and Fiji's Navy Hydrographic Service."
The Hon Alex Hawke MP, Assistant Defence Minister and Minister for International Development and the Pacific welcomed Prime Minister Bainimarama to the Australian War College where Minister Hawke announced the next phase of the Blackrock Camp redevelopment in Nadi.
"The Blackrock Camp redevelopment project is key to the continued advancement of Fiji's security and military forces as they prepare for policing duties, peacekeeping exercises and deployments," Minister Hawke said.
"The project will now move to the next phase, with company CC Pines Pty LTD awarded the contract to construct the Camp."
Fijian Minister for National Security and Defence and Foreign Affairs, the Hon Inia Seruiratu, who is also in Australia as part of the Guest of Government visit, congratulated CC Pines Pty Ltd on the contract for main works.
"CC Pines is an experienced construction industry partner and I am confident they will deliver on a tailored solution to meet the needs of our forces, as well as our environment."
The project will create 555 skilled and unskilled construction jobs in Fiji with the redevelopment including a new headquarters, logistics precinct, classroom facilities and living-in accommodation.
During his visit, Prime Minister Bainimarama also visited Garden Island and toured HMAS Adelaide.
He met with Australian Defence Force members who have trained alongside Fijian peacekeeping forces at the Blackrock Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp, and alongside Minister Reynolds, laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in acknowledgement of the service and sacrifice of Australian service men and women.
Imagery of PM Bainimarama's visit is available at https://images.defence.gov.au/S20192226
Imagery and vision of the early works of the Blackrock redevelopment is available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20191907 and https://video.defence.gov.au/play/6281#
