Australia has ruled out easing travel bans on Fiji as long as there is a lack of progress towards returning Fiji to democracy and the rule of law.

This is in response from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra to a paper put together by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute which calls on Australia to soften its stance towards Fiji.

However, the Department said as soon as the Fiji Government takes credible and concrete steps to return Fiji to democracy and the rule of law, will consideration be given to moderating travel and other sanctions.

It said travel sanctions apply to less than one per cent of Fiji's population, remain an effective means of encouraging a return to democracy and the rule of law.

Canberra has also ruled out a resumption of defence cooperation with the Fiji military.