Publish date/time: 14/12/2010 [11:08]

http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=1412105a7c74f266cfc57cf8d45c65

Fiji has rejected Australia's Framework for Law and Justice Engagement in the Pacific as the Solicitor General Christopher Pryde lashed out at Australian policy to isolate Fiji.

Pryde questioned Australia's commitment to the Pacific region at the 28th Pacific Island Legal Officers Network meeting held in Brisbane last week.

He added the issues of money laundering, human trafficking and transnational crime are problems not just for Fiji but for the whole of the Pacific.

According to Pryde, Australia's policy of isolating Fiji and withholding assistance and co-operation at the operational level to tackle these issues demonstrates Australia is not wholly committed to the region.

He said New Zealand, Australia and the Forum and Commonwealth Secretariats in particular need to review their policies of isolation and non-cooperation with Fiji and work for the common good for the whole of the Pacific region and leave aside their political differences.

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While addressing the forum, Pryde also highlighted that the head of the Australian Attorney Generals Department chaired the meeting on day one and on the second day a Junior person chaired the meeting and while she checked with each of the member states on whether this was acceptable, she chose to deliberately ignore Fiji.

Pryde told the forum that this type of behavior which is typical of Australia is not only childish but unprofessional and disrespectful to Fiji as a Pacific island country.

He said Australia needs to take a lesson from other Pacific island countries and act in a way that is appropriate for the region.

He said crime such as human trafficking and money laundering will not stand still as they will not wait until 2014 and must be tackled now.

Pryde said Australia's attitude is unhelpful in dealing with issues such as transnational crime in the Pacific region.