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Its Fiji’s loss if Fiji does not want new Aust High Commissioner-Aust

Its Fiji’s loss if Fiji does not want new Aust High Commissioner-Aust
The Fijian government is yet to decide on the nomination for the Australian High Commissioner by the Australian government.

However Permanent Secretary for Information, Sharon Smith-Johns said the government will not make any comments on the issue at this stage.

This follows comments by Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr that Fiji is “diminished” by its refusal to accept Australia's new High Commissioner.

Australia and Fiji agreed last year to exchange high commissioners.

Senator Carr subsequently appointed career diplomat Margaret Twomey to the role and hoped she would begin in February. 

But according to the Courier Mail the process stalled as Fiji refused to approve Twomey's visa.

Six months after Senator Carr announced Twomey's appointment, she is still waiting in Canberra for her posting to begin.

It was earlier stated by the Fijian government that Twomey was nominated by the Australian government and the final decision is yet to be made by Fiji on whether the nomination will be accepted.

Senator Carr now said that if Fiji does not want to receive an Australian high commissioner, that's their loss.

The last Australian High Commissioner, James Batley was asked to leave in 2009, after he was accused of meddling in local politics.

Story by: Vijay Narayan 

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