Stop lying about Fiji to get asylum - Tikoduadua

Don't try to mislead the Australian government and officials by giving false information about Fiji to try to get political asylum.

Those are the words of Fiji's Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Colonel Pio Tikoduadua following reports that Fiji citizens on tourist visas in Australia seeking political asylum are now starting to allege to the Australian media that there are some Fiji soldiers in Australia who are spying on the Fiji community there.

On a panel discussion on Radio Australia, some Fijian overstayers assisted by a Pastor Livai Leone and the Fiji Freedom Movement based in Australia, in an act of desperation are now starting to make these claims with no clear and sufficient evidence.

The Immigration Department of Australia has rejected thousands of applications from Fijians on tourist visas who want political asylum, over the past year or so.

With no other option available these individuals are claiming to the media that the Fiji soldiers have somehow gone to Australia to spy on the Fijian community and report back to Fiji.

Colonel Pio Tikoduadua said the government has enough issues at hand, and the last thing on their mind is to spy on the Fiji community in Australia.