Fiji and Victoria Explore Strengthened Parliamentary Cooperation and Shared Governance Priorities

Melbourne, Australia – 11 June 2026 – Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Sakiasi Ditoka, today held a bilateral engagement with senior representatives of the Parliament of Victoria, including Ms Bridget Noonan, Clerk of the Parliaments and Legislative Assembly, and Ms Sheena Watt, Parliamentary Secretary for Public and Active Transport and Parliamentary Secretary for Community Support.

Minister Ditoka congratulated Ms Noonan on her historic appointment as the first female Clerk of the Victorian Legislative Assembly in its 161-year history, describing it as a significant milestone in institutional leadership and parliamentary governance.

He acknowledged the longstanding relationship between Fiji and the Victorian Parliament, including existing twinning and cooperation arrangements, and expressed Fiji’s appreciation for Victoria’s continued support in strengthening parliamentary systems across the Pacific.
He noted the importance of building on this foundation through more structured and practical cooperation.

Discussions focused on opportunities to enhance institutional collaboration through technical exchanges and capacity-building initiatives. The engagement also provided an opportunity to exchange views on shared parliamentary experiences and emerging governance challenges. These included approaches to committee processes, parliamentary learning and development for Members of Parliament, and the value of peer-to-peer institutional learning across jurisdictions.

Broader reflections were also made on contemporary policy and governance issues, including the role of parliaments in addressing environmental and infrastructure-related challenges, strengthening community engagement in legislative processes, and ensuring inclusive dialogue in decision-making. The importance of effective parliamentary mechanisms such as petitions and public submissions in facilitating democratic participation was also noted.

Minister Ditoka further shared Fiji’s ongoing policy considerations on various matters, including regional discussions on climate-induced relocation and the need for appropriate legislative and institutional frameworks to support vulnerable communities while preserving cultural identity.

Both sides reaffirmed the value of continued collaboration between Fiji and Victoria in strengthening parliamentary institutions, enhancing governance capability, and sharing practical experiences in addressing complex policy challenges.

Minister Ditoka expressed appreciation for the constructive exchange and reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to deepening institutional partnerships that support effective, resilient, and inclusive governance systems.