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Australia–Fiji relations

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Australia–Fiji relations
Map indicating locations of Australia and Fiji

Australia
Fiji
Monthly value of Australian merchandise exports to Fiji (A$ millions) since 1988
Monthly value of Fijian merchandise exports to Australia (A$ millions) since 1988
Monthly short term travel departures from Australia to Fiji since 1991

Australia–Fiji relations refer to bilateral relations between Australia and Fiji. Both countries have a High Commission in the other.[1][2][3]

Relations with Fiji are strained due to Australia's condemnation of the military coup which overthrew the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase in December 2006. Military leader and "interim Prime Minister" Voreqe Bainimarama accused Australia of "bullying" Fiji by applying sanctions and insisting on a swift return to a democratic government. In March 2008 the Fiji Human Rights Commission published a report which alleged that Australia might have been planning an armed intervention in Fiji in late 2006. Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith dismissed the allegations, and stated: "The best thing that can happen in Fiji is not spurious suggestions about Australian activity but having an election, returning Fiji to democracy, respecting human rights".[4]

On 4 November 2009, Bainimarama, expelled the Australian high commissioner James Batley and his New Zealand counterpart. He said that Australia and New Zealand had tried to undermine Fiji's judiciary and weaken its economy. New Zealand and Australia disputed key aspects of Fiji's claims.[5] In response, Australia quickly expelled Fiji's acting high commissioner, Kamlesh Kumar Arya.[6]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Relations of Australia and Fiji.

References

  1. ^ http://www.fiji.embassy.gov.au/suva/home.html
  2. ^ http://www.fijihighcom.com/
  3. ^ http://dfat.gov.au/missions/countries/fj.html
  4. ^ "Smith rejects Fiji accusations", The Australian, 2 April 2008
  5. ^ Chris Merritt and Patrick Walters, 'Fiji Expels High Commissioner',The Australian 4 November 2009, [1]
  6. ^ Samantha Maiden, 'Australia expels top Fiji Diplomat in retaliation move', The Australian, 4 November 2009, [2]
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