Australia has formally declared acrisis in relation with Vanuatu and has threatened to cut off its multi-million dollar aid to the South Pacific island country.

Australian officials have visited the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila and delivered a written diplomatic warning, Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio reported Friday.

The Australian statement accused Vanuatu's government of undermining the country's public service, interfering in the judicial system, trying to weaken the law covering financial transactions and moving to create a prime ministerial guard.

The Australian government called on Vanuatu to give a series of assurances about its commitment to good government.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has said Australia may cut much of the 31 million-dollar (24.4 million US dollars) aid to Vanuatu, keeping only humanitarian programs.

"We've laid down some markers to the Vanuatu government about how we think the relationship might go ahead in the future," Downer was quoted as saying.

"We won't be sending good money after bad," he said.

Vanuatu has a land area of 12,190 square kilometers and a population of around 200,000.

Source: Xinhua