The Australian government urged Fiji's military rulers on Tuesday to restore democracy in the island republic, a day after the country's leader, Voreqe Bainimarama, announced immediate plans of reforms after seizing power in 2006.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard expressed her approval of Bainimarama's apparent efforts to bring back normalcy in Fiji but stressed that "from the point of view of the Australian government all steps need to be taken to restore democracy to Fiji."

"As soon as possible democracy should be restored in Fiji ... and that has been our consistent call," Ms Gillard was quoted by Agence France Presse (AFP) as saying.

Ms Gillard was reacting to the Monday statement issued by Bainimarama, in which he pledged that a new constitution would be formed soon and media censorship will be gradually lifted.

Bainimarama also vowed to soon allow public meetings, en route to his intention of repealing the emergency laws that he imposed in 2009 following a local court ruling that said his coup three years before was illegal, AFP wrote.

Upon assuming full control of the government in 2006, Bainimarama abolished all state apparatus, including the judiciary and legislative, with the military regime enjoying absolute power since then.

The situation will soon change, Bainimarama said, as the emergency laws will cease to take effect by Saturday and the process of establishing a new constitution to begin soon.

"I will, over the next few weeks, announce the nationwide consultation process which will commence in February 2012," the military strongman was reported by AFP as saying during his New Year's address.

While welcoming the development in Fiji, Ms Gillard remains wary of the general situation in the island nation as she reminded that the country's military regime had been known to issue pledges it cannot follow through.

Bainimarama has been promising to devolve government powers back to civilians but the pledges have yet to be realised close to five years after his coup eased out civilian rulers from the government.

Sanctions have been imposed on the island nation, regarded by many economists as possible centre of economic activities in the South Pacific, including suspension from the Commonwealth, AFP said.

Ms Gillard said that removing emergency laws and implementing reforms will prove as good start for Fiji.

"But these steps need to be followed up by further action ... and as soon as possible democracy should be restored in Fiji," the Prime Minister stressed.