Australia stands ready to support Fiji in making steps towards a return to democracy, Foreign Minister Bob Carr says.
Senator Carr says the Fiji government's released its draft constitution and that's an important step forward for that nation's commitment to hold elections by September 2014.
"Australia stands ready to support Fiji in making credible steps towards a return to democracy," Senator Carr said in a statement on Saturday.
"We've provided $2.65 million to support development of Fiji's electoral processes and will continue consultations with other donors and the Fiji authorities to identify further needs."
Fiji's interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum released Fiji's new Constitution on August 22. It is expected to be formally promulgated on September 6.
