2 Nov 2009

Fiji's Chief Justice calls on NZ and Australia to scrap travel ban for judges

5:58 am on 2 November 2009

Fiji's Chief Justice, Anthony Gates, has called on Australia and New Zealand to stop imposing travel restrictions on Fiji's judiciary.

At a media conference at his judicial chambers in Suva, Justice Gates said that he had to "stand up against such interference".

He told Fiji Live that Fiji must have a judiciary, and it was not for Australia or New Zealand to tell it who to appoint.

He spoke of the difficulties facing the Sri Lankan judges due to join the Fiji courts this week.

Justice Gates said the judges were individually "warned" by Australian immigration authorities that if they took up appointments in Fiji's judiciary then they and their family would not be allowed travel to Australia, even for medical help.