The Australian Prime Minister has lashed out at Fiji for its failure to meet a timetable to return to democracy and for interfering with the media.

Radio Australia reports that Kevin Rudd's comments comes a day after meeting in Suva of Pacific Island Ministers working on the issue of military rule in the country.

Rudd said there will be further unspecified action adding that their government take democracy in the Pacific Island countries seriously which is not optional.

Meanwhile, new Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray Mc Cully said interim government has shown a willingness to compromise over the push for a return to democracy despite the interim governments refusal to hold elections by march next year.