An outspoken commentator on Fiji affairs and academic Brij Lal says it's a huge honour to have been included in Australia's Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Professor Lal was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his work on Pacific history and culture.
Academic Prof Brij Lal who was deported from Fiji in 2009 Photo: Supplied
The Australian National University academic who was born in Fiji was expelled from the country in 2009 and banned from returning.
Professor Lal says it was tremedous to be recognised in such a way after being hounded out like a common criminal from the land of his birth.
He reapplied earlier this year to have his travel ban revoked.
