Media release

15 May 2008

Threats to Australian High Commissioner and his staff

I regret to advise that our High Commission in Fiji has today received a second death threat against the High Commissioner and his staff.

Members of the House will be aware that a previous anonymous and grave threat was delivered to the High Commission in Suva on 7 May.

The Australian Government believes these threats to be credible and is extremely concerned by them.

Both threats were immediately brought to the attention of the Fiji Police and we are grateful for their investigative efforts to date.

Following the first threat, the Government has taken urgent steps to fully revise security arrangements for Australian High Commission staff in Fiji and to improve the safety of the staff of the High Commission and the security of the High Commission premises.

Restrictions have now been placed on access to the High Commission.

In response to the first threat, the High Commissioner met Ministers of the Interim Fiji Government and requested agreement for Australian Federal Police officers to join the High Commission staff to provide additional close personal protection and security. He also requested additional security services be provided by the Fiji Police to High Commission staff.

I have today sent a formal note to the Fiji Interim Foreign Minister reiterating the deep concern of the Australian Government about these threats and seeking urgent and full cooperation in responding to our formal requests for additional personal protection and security.

Australia’s travel advice for Fiji has, this afternoon, been updated to take account of these threats as well as recent increasing levels of crime in Fiji.

I have taken the opportunity, prior to Question Time, to brief the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs about these matters.

The safety, security and welfare of all High Commission staff and their families is paramount in Australia’s response to these threats.

If, for some reason, these threats are an effort to intimidate the Australian Government about its policy on Fiji - or an attempt to intimidate our High Commissioner - let me make it very clear that they will not have any such effect.

**This statement was delivered in the House of Representatives earlier today.

Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555