Tui Nayau urges Australia to remove visa barrier for Fijians

The Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, has called on Australia to remove visa requirements for Fijians and bring forward lower university fees for Fijian students, saying the Vuvale relationship should be equal for both countries.

Speaking after returning from a five-day visit to Australia, Ratu Tevita welcomed the expanded Vuvale Union announced in Suva last month but said two important issues remained unresolved.

He called on Australia to remove the visa requirement for Fijians.

"I say this as a guest who was received in Australia with real warmth, and as a friend of that country. Vuvale means family."

"In our custom, family does not apply at the door. An Australian steps off the aircraft in Nadi and is welcomed without a form; a Fijian must still apply to enter Australia."

He acknowledged Australia's decision to allow Fijians to apply to stay for up to four months and expand multiple-entry business visas.

"I thank the Australian Government for what has been agreed on the length of our stay - it was a generous step, and it was noticed."

However, he said true reciprocity would only come when Fijians could enter Australia without applying for a visa.

"But the last part of the journey is the door itself. When a Fijian may travel to Australia as an Australian travels to Fiji, then vuvale will mean the same thing on both sides of the water."

Ratu Tevita also questioned why Fijian students would have to wait until 2029 before paying domestic tuition fees at Australian universities.

"I welcome what has been agreed for our students, and I thank Australia for it. My question is the date. Why 2029?"

He said many Fijian families could not afford international tuition fees while Fiji was already supplying skilled workers to Australia.

"Every year between now and then is another year of our families paying international fees they cannot afford."

"Our workers are picking Australian fruit, standing in Australian meatworks and caring for elderly Australians - this season, and every season."

He said Fiji also invested heavily in training professionals who later worked in Australia.

"Fiji trains a nurse, a teacher, a tradesman, paid for by his own family and by the Fijian taxpayer, and within a few years Australia has the benefit of them, fully qualified, at no cost to itself."

Ratu Tevita argued Fijian students deserved equal treatment now.

"If our people are good enough to hold up Australian farms and Australian hospitals today, then our children are good enough to sit in Australian lecture theatres at an Australian's fee today. Not in three years' time."