Fiji Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. Credit: ABC.

By Rich Bowden:

Fiji’s diplomatic relations with its influential neighbours have hit a new low as leader Frank Bainimarama announced the expulsion of the Australian and New Zealand ambassadors late Tuesday.

The country’s newly installed Chief Justice, Anthony Gates had preempted the expulsion by accusing the two countries of meddling in the operation of Fiji’s judiciary, according to a Radio Australia report.

Speaking to Fiji TV, Sir Anthony accused Australia of trying to convince Sri Lankan judges – on secondment to Fiji – not to take up their positions.

The Australian Government has denied the allegations saying the Chief Justice had misrepresented the situation.

Australia’s High Commissioner, James Batley, and New Zealand’s acting Deputy High Commissioner, Todd Cleaver were given just 24 hours to leave after a statement by Commodore Bainamarama at the Government Buildings in Suva after 6pm Fiji time. Though this is the third time New Zealand has had its envoy sent home, it is the first such time a move has been made against Australia’s diplomatic representation.

Military ruler Bainimarama told reporters Tuesday that a travel ban imposed on members of the Fijian judiciary was unfair and constituted interference in the country’s affairs.

“I cannot understand why Australia and New Zealand are engaged in dishonest and untruthful strategies to undermine our judiciary, our independent institutions and our economy,” he said at a news conference.“I can accept their ban on me and my senior officers given the personalization of matters. But why punish individuals both Fijians and non-Fijians who join the judiciary?”

‘Hardline’ policy

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd though was unmoved by the expulsion saying his Government would continue to implement its hardline policy against the country which had removed a democratically-elected Government in a 2006 military-led coup.

“We belong to a family of democracies in the South Pacific,” he told reporters.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Credit: djackmanson/flickr

“We, the Australian government, are engaged in active development programs with our partners in the South Pacific. We want to see stability in the South Pacific and we’re not about to simply allow a coup culture to spread.”

“That’s why we’ll maintain a hard line in relation to this regime,” he stated.

Australia’s Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith has described the expulsions as a “…substantial and serious setback” to relations with Fiji.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said his Government would consider its position regarding the expulsion of the ambassador.

“The New Zealand government will now consider the appropriate steps to take in response to today’s expulsion, and also assess the impact of this action on the already depleted resources in our Suva High Commission,”  he said in a statement Tuesday.

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