Aust High Comm mum on Chaudhry’s entry

The Australian High Commission in Fiji said it will not comment on why a former senior member of the government, Mahendra Chaudhry was allowed to enter Australia.

Fijivillage News had questioned the High Commission on the granting of visas to those connected to the Fiji military or government, and whether the policy had changed.

We wanted to get confirmation on whether people are removed from Australia's travel ban list when they step down from their position.

The Australian High Commission only said that travel restrictions against those responsible for the December 2006 takeover, and appointees of the government which includes Commodore Bainimarama, high profile coup supporters, ranking military officers from warrant officer rank and above, and their families, remain in place.

It said the travel restriction includes other RFMF members but not their families, government ministers and their families, government appointed senior public servants and government appointees to government boards.   

Chaudhry who was the Finance Minister, confirmed yesterday that he is in Australia and will return next week. But he said he is on a private visit and is not having any official meetings.