Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, highlighted a significant milestone in regional security cooperation with the inauguration of the Vuvale Maritime Essential Services Centre in Suva. This new facility, which represents an investment of AUD 83 million (approximately USD 41.5 million), symbolizes a robust partnership between Fiji and Australia, founded on mutual trust and shared security objectives.
During the official opening ceremony last Friday, Marles expressed his enthusiasm about the centre, noting the considerable transformation it underwent over two years from what was previously a jungle area to a fully operational facility. The project generated over 1,275 jobs and involved 1,400 contracts with local Fijian partners, emphasizing the collaborative effort that brought this strategic centre to fruition.
The Vuvale Maritime Essential Services Centre will serve as a hub for key Fijian agencies including the Fiji Navy, Fiji Police, and the Hydrographic Office, among others. Marles acknowledged that by coordinating operations under one roof, these agencies would be empowered to effectively tackle challenges such as illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes, thus enhancing Fiji’s capability to manage its maritime domain. He stressed the central importance of this domain for Fiji’s economic prosperity and national security.
The term “Vuvale,” meaning family in Fijian, was also significant during the opening remarks. Marles reflected on the familial ties that the centre represents, not just within Fiji’s agencies but also in the broader relationship between Fiji and Australia. He noted the centre as part of a wider 20-year sustainment package that includes the Blackrock Camp in Nadi, marking it as one of Australia’s most substantial global infrastructure investments.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka was commended for his leadership in promoting peace within the Pacific region. Marles articulated a belief that Australia and Fiji’s security needs are deeply interconnected, with the establishment of the centre symbolizing their shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous Pacific.
In his concluding remarks, Marles expressed gratitude to all those involved in the project, recognizing their contribution to the security not just of Fiji, but also of Australia and the surrounding region.
Both the opening of the Vuvale Maritime Centre and the recent commitments under the Vuvale Partnership reaffirm Australia’s ongoing support for Fiji across various sectors, including security, health, and infrastructure. These collaborative initiatives pave the way for a more secure future for both nations and contribute to the stabilization of the Pacific as a whole, reflecting a hopeful trajectory for regional cooperation.