5 Jan 2013

Fiji academic says military regime will do whatever it wants

10:50 am on 5 January 2013

A Fiji academic believes the people of Fiji are not being properly consulted about a number of changes including revamping the country's flag and currency.

The interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has announced the country will get a new flag.

The current flag features the Union Jack and a coat of arms that includes bananas.

Last month images of the Queen were removed from Fiji's currency.

Brij Lal of the Australian National University says the military regime will do whatever it wants, regardless.

"They will talk about consultation, they will talk about transparency but in fact they will do precisely what they want to do in the name of the people of Fiji and I think that is very, very undemocratic."

Brij Lal.

The Fiji Labour Party says the regime has no right to change flag.