CANBERRA (Pacnews) — The Australian government says it will not be changing its travel bans on Fiji, despite claims from business groups they are hampering a return to democracy.
Although the travel ban was in place Australia has not put trade sanctions on Fiji.
The president of the Suva-based Fiji Australia Business Council, Caz Tebbutt, said Australia’s travel bans on anyone involved in the interim government, labeled “smart sanctions” means many who could assist Fiji return to democracy don’t want to be involved.
The ban affects members of the military, the interim government, their senior staff, and those appointed to the boards of statutory authorities. It also affects their families.