Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has congratulated Anthony Albanese for his re-election as Australia’s Prime Minister.
Albanese’s Labor stormed home to victory in a landslide, winning a swathe of seats across multiple states and unseating Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in his own electorate in the process.
Expanding on its majority in the House of Representatives, Labor claimed 87 seats, while the coalition picked up 40 as its primary vote plunged to almost historic lows.
Rabuka said as Vuvale, Fiji and Australia share a strong and enduring bilateral relationship.
He said Fiji looks forward to continuing its partnership, grounded in mutual respect, development cooperation, and regional stability.
Rabuka also congratulated Lawrence Wong on his election as Singapore’s prime minister.
Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party has won by a landslide in an election dominated by concerns over the cost of living and the country’s future economic stability.
This is Wong’s first election since he became party leader last year, the PAP clinched 65.6% of the vote and an overwhelming majority of the 97 seats in parliament.
Rabuka said Fiji values its close and longstanding friendship with Singapore and looks forward to continuing their strong partnership for the prosperity of the two nations and the region.
Meanwhile, Pacific youth across Australia are heartened by the result after weeks of voter awareness campaigns for Pacific communities, but will continue to hold the Albanese government accountable to their promises.
Jacynta Fa’amau, 350.org Pacific Campaigner says, “Pacific communities voted on issues that matter to us, issues that align with our values. Young Pacific Islanders living in Australia know that the cost of living crisis is connected to the climate crisis and we deserve to have a future free of both.
“The result is an indication that Australia isn’t falling prey to the divisive politics of the far right, but there is still work to be done. Labour has made climate promises in the past and we intend to hold them accountable to these.
The returned Albanese government will aim for clean energy to provide more than 80 percent of power by 2030. While this election means Australia voted for renewable energy over dangerous nuclear tactics, we will continue to push the new government to take real action to phase out fossil fuel production. This starts by ending the approval of new coal and gas projects. This country remains one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas, and this is Australia’s biggest contribution to the devastation of our island homes. The plans for renewable energy are a step in the right direction, but Australian climate policy will still be inadequate without phasing out fossil fuel production”.
