Discrimination claim denied

Press, 15 December 1983, Page 25

Discrimination claim denied

NZPA Suva Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Mr Colin McDonald, has denied a claim that Fijians are being discriminated against when they apply for visas to Australia. The allegation was made at a meeting of the Indian Alliance, a constituent arm of the governing Alliance Party. It focused on alleged discrimination by the Australian High Commission, but a former Mayor of Suva, Councillor Maan Singh, alleged the discrimination was also being practised by the New Zealand High Commission. The assertions were largely without foundation, Mr McDonald said. “My office does not practise any discrimination between the sexes or between the communities in

applying Australia’s policies towards visa applicants in Fiji,” he said. The incidence of Fijian overstayers and illegal workers in Australia was high, many 'Fijian citizens having been deported. “As long as this situation continues, the High Commission has no choice but to scrutinise visa applications carefully. Every time a citizen of Fiji breaches the terms of his visit to Australia, the harder it becomes for family members and others to obtain visas.” Australian visitor visas were issued for 7609 Fijians last year (1982-83).