Dear Mrs Irwin

Thank you for your letter dated 24 June 2009 about a petition submitted regarding Fiji.

The Government remains gravely concerned about developments in Fiji. The military regime continues to show contempt for the political and human rights and future prosperity of the people of Fiji. In conjunction with friends and partners in the Pacific, the

Australian Government will do everything it can to return Fiji to democracy and the rule of law.

Thank you for bringing this petition to my attention.

from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Stephen Smith