IT is absolutely disappointing that Fijian nationals are staining the country’s name by committing offences overseas.
This was the reaction from Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua following the recent arrest of an i-Taukei man in Australia, who according to sources travelled there under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in 2022.
According to New South Wales Police, the 43-year-old was charged with nine offences, including two counts of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, common assault, affray, and stalking with intent to cause fear of physical harm.
Ms Qereqeretabua said such incidents were deeply disappointing and undermine Fiji’s hard-earned relationship with Australia.
“It’s disappointing to see that while we’ve worked so hard to build this relationship with another country, a few bad eggs can give us a bad name,” she said.
“We urge every Fijian overseas to respect the laws of their host country, especially one that has offered you a home or employment.”
NSW Police said the incident occurred around 9.40pm, when two Australian men, aged 47 and 57, were allegedly attacked with a glass bottle outside a pub after the Melbourne Cup.
Both victims sustained head injuries and were treated in hospital. The accused was later arrested in Eveleigh, Sydney.
This marks the second such incident in less than a month involving an i-Taukei arrested in Australia for a serious offence.
This is becoming a trend Ms Qereqeretabua described as a “lesson” for all those heading abroad”.
