The Australian Government has formally notified the Public Service Commission on earlier this month that it has ceased salary supplementation support for the position of the Supervisor of Elections.

The Australian High Commission confirms that the Australian government made that decision after the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo abrogated the 1997 Constitution and revoked all constitutionally appointed positions, which includes the Supervisor of Elections, and the announcement that elections will not be held until as late as 2014.

The High Commission said salary supplementation support commenced after the Australian government entered into a formal agreement with the PSC in June last year.

The Australian government remains willing to provide considerable assistance with elections preparations in Fiji, provided the Fiji government is able to demonstrate a genuine commitment towards free and fair elections at an early date.

The PSC is expected to comment later today.