Two Fiji officials sneak into Australia – the full story

Two Fijian government officials banned from visiting Australia reportedly sneaked into the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Cairns by travelling on Solomon Islands passports.

During last week’s summit the two representatives told Papua New Guinea’s Post Courier newspaper they turned up at the event to “watch” despite Fiji’s suspension from the forum and travel bans on the regime’s top brass.

The duo also reportedly were at an official welcome dinner hosted by Australia’s Foreign Minister Stephen Smith at the Sebel Hotel.

“We came through Solomon Islands and we had no problem with papers,” one told the Post Courier.

“We wouldn’t have entered with Solomon Islands passports if there was no support.

“We know we still remain suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum and we are partially suspended from the Commonwealth.

“We are just here to watch,” he said.

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister Derek Sikua and the country’s PIF delegation were still in Cairns and could not comment, a government spokesman said.

Earlier this month The Age newspaper reported Solomon Islands Foreign Minister William Haomae had written to Pacific governments supporting Fiji’s complaints that PIF talks on a new trade deal were in breach of existing arrangements.

After their Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting in July, the prime ministers of PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu said Fiji’s PIF suspension should be lifted.

Fiji was suspended from the forum in May this year after its military leader Frank Bainimarama reneged on promises to hold democratic elections.

The Australian government has placed travel bans on members of the regime that came to power in a bloodless coup in 2006.

Niue Premier Toke Talagi, the departing PIF chairman, caused a stir at the Cairns meeting when he urged Fijian citizens to “rise against the regime”. His comments were played down by other leaders.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was chairman during the two-day gathering of the 15-nation regional forum.

Comment was being sought from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Fijian government officials.