The Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji, Hon. Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu led a delegation visit to the Parliaments of Australia and New South Wales in February 2024. The delegation were welcomed by the President of the Australian Senate, Senator Hon. Sue Lines and the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Hon. Milton Dick, MP during a busy Parliament Sitting Week. The Fijian delegation viewed exhibitions and historical artifacts at Parliament House in Canberra before meeting with Committee Chairs and observing a Joint Standing Committee Public Hearing.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Inia Seruiratu, MP said: “It was very encouraging to learn about how the Parliament of Australia conduct their Committee work and hope that this can be implemented at home so that our work becomes more effective and efficient, particularly in the areas of scrutiny and oversight.” The delegation also met media personnel working at the Parliament and visited the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).

In Sydney, the CPA President, Hon. Ben Franklin, MLC, President of the New South Wales Legislative Council welcomed the Speaker of the Fiji Parliament, Hon. Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and Fijian MPs to the Parliament of New South Wales. The Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Hon. Greg Piper MP, along with other Members of the New South Wales Parliament also welcomed the visitors and joined discussions on shared values of parliamentary democracy.