Questions welcomed in Sydney

Fiji’s regime leader Frank Bainimarama will visit Australia in late August, as part of his campaign ahead of the country’s elections, his Australia-based supporters say.

One of the trip’s organisers, Jason Narayan, has confirmed Bainimarama will hold a public address in Sydney aimed at shoring up support among the country’s Fijian community.

Narayan says Bainimarama’s address will include a question and answer session, which will be open to any member of the public who wishes to attend, as well as Australia-based members of his FijiFirst Party.

“He will very gladly be answering all those questions,” Narayan said.

“We welcome any questions – he will welcome any questions – and I reckon he will give a definite answer on any questions that have been raised.”

The trip to Australia follows Bainimarama’s visit to New Zealand over the weekend, where he held a campaign rally attended by an estimated 1000 people.

His visits to New Zealand and Australia are his first in eight years, after both countries lifted travel bans on senior Fijian officials in March this year.

Narayan says he expects large crowds at the Australian meetings.

“As any supporter of the FijiFirst group will say, we welcome any people who want to come and listen to Bainimarama’s speeches and wants to converse with him,” he said.

Narayan says Bainimarama has a strong support base in Australia, and the trip is an opportunity to attract more.

“What I understand he’s got a very vast range of people who are supporting him.”

Bainimarama is scheduled to arrive in Australia on August 22.