Perin Davey with some Fijian children during her tour.
Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Senator Perin Davey, recently embarked on a study tour to Fiji for an Australian Regional Leadership Initiative tour hosted by Save the Children.
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Senator Davey said these tours, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aim to educate politicians from all parties on where Australian support, regional development funds and Australian aid is going and the benefits that are achieved from that.
“It was an absolute eye-opener,” Senator Davey said.
“I am very aware of the money Australia provides to overseas partners and nations to support development and in their times of need following crisis and emergency.
“It is also important as a global citizen to be active in that space.
“To be able to witness first hand the results of this expenditure was incredibly humbling.
“To see how far our assistance dollars go in these communities is incredible.”
Senator Perin Davey during a visit to Kaybee Farms, where Kata is the only female aquaculture farmer in Fiji.
Senator Davey said the Australian High Commission also coordinated the female politicians on the tour to meet with female candidates for the upcoming Fijian election.
“These women would like to see more females representing Fiji in politics,” Senator Davey said.
“It was important for these candidates to see a bi-partisan approach and to hear our experiences in politics.
“It is crucial for Fiji to strive to, and attract more, highly qualified, smart women into that area.
“The work Australian assistance programs and Save the Children are doing in the pacific is phenomenal. I don’t call it aid or welfare, I call it partnership and development.”
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