Questions raised on lack of facilities for Australian visa applicants

It is a common sight along Reservoir Road from Mondays to Fridays.

On many days, more than a hundred people are seen lined up outside the gates of the Australian High Commission in Suva, awaiting the word from the security guards to allow them in to lodge their visa applications.

No shelter is provided to these potential visitors to Australia by the High Commission and the system has remained this way for years.

They wait on the roadsides for their call.

Many people who have gone through this visa application process question why proper shelter is not provided and whether Australia entertains its potential visitors to be treated in this manner.

Over the past months, Fijivillage has witnessed people lining up, young and old, and sometimes the line goes about 300 metres from the gates.  

A month ago, Fijivillage sent questions to the Australian High Commission questioning whether it is happy and satisfied with the ongoing system and whether the status quo would remain.

We questioned the High Commission whether other favourable systems can be implemented to ensure that people do not have to go through the current process.

After a few days we were told from the Canberra Office dealing with immigration issues that a response on the matter would be forthcoming a day later.

It is now more than a fortnight and there has been no reply.

We are still awaiting a response.
 
Many people have compared the visa application systems used by other embassies and High Commissions where they say proper waiting rooms are allocated for applicants, and a proper appointment system in place.

Fijivillage has been told that the new US embassy at Princes Road will even go a step further and have a waiting room and benches near gardens outside the rooms so that people can wait in comfort for their names to be called.

We have again contacted the Australian High Commission this morning.

There is still no reply this hour but some officials say we can only hope that a statement is released in relation to the matter soon.


Story by: Vijay Narayan