He made the comment in the wake of the country’s full suspension from the 53-nation bloc that make up the Commonwealth group.
Fiji’s suspension means it will be excluded from all Commonwealth meetings neither would it be eligible for most Commonwealth technical assistance, except for that directed to helping it return to democracy.
“Despite the increasing international pressure on the government, Australia will continue to offer support to the people of Fiji including the continuation of our development assistance program,” Smith said.
“As the government has already made plain, Australia stands ready to provide support to a credible dialogue process and I welcome the planned visit by a Commonwealth delegation to Fiji later this month,” he said.
“Australia also remains ready to provide support to the electoral process in Fiji if Commodore Bainimarama finally heeds the call of the Commonwealth and the Forum and his own citizens and commits to a credible election process” Smith said.
Meanwhile, the Fijian administration has welcomed the announcement made by Smith that the government of Australia will continue its bilateral development assistance program.
“When Fiji is ready to hold General Elections, the Government will take under consideration Australia’s offer of support,” Fiji’s head of foreign ministry Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said in a statement today.
