Fiji, Oct. 26 -- Australia is considering expanding military recruitment from Pacific Island countries beyond Papua New Guinea but says its initial focus will be on ensuring the pilot programme does not weaken the region's own defence forces.
Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy said countries including Fiji had expressed interest in the initiative, which will initially recruit 100 Papua New Guinean citizens into the Australian Defence Force (ADF) under the Pukpuk Mutual Defence Treaty.
In a radio interview with ABC, Conroy said Australia wanted to establish a workable recruitment model with PNG before considering expansion to other Pacific countries.
"We've flagged we're interested in it. I think countries like Fiji...