1 Apr 2014

Labour supports lifting Fiji bans

11:38 am on 1 April 2014

The Labour Party says it supports the decision of the New Zealand and Australian governments to lift sanctions on some Fijians.

After the December 2006 coup, certain members of the Fiji regime and the military were banned from entering New Zealand and Australia, but both countries now say they want to recognise the progress made towards free and fair elections in Fiji.

Labour leader David Cunliffe says he is cautiously optimistic the September poll will be free and fair. He says the Fiji government has not always upheld the rule of law in constitutional matters, but it is important to reinforce progress towards democracy.