Media Releases
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fiji Increased Import of Kava for Personal Consumption Allowed into Australia |
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Travellers entering Australia from Fiji as of 17th December 2019, can now carry across a maximum of 4kg of kava into Australia with the exception of those travelling to Western Australia and the Northern Territory where restrictions are still in place. The Office of the Drug Control under the Australian Government’s Department of Health has announced the amount of kava that can be imported by a traveller for personal use has increased from 2kg to 4kg. In welcoming the announcement, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Hon. Inia Seruiratu said “the decision is timely for the Fijian diaspora in Australia and friends of Fiji and the Pacific as this will allow them to fulfil their cultural obligations and also socially enjoy kava over the festive season”. Minister Seruiratu stated that today’s announcement is a culmination of months of discussions at all levels of government and is in line with commitments by the Hon. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Hon. Prime Minister Scott Morrison to further strengthen the Fiji – Australia bilateral relationship under the Vuvale Partnership, which was signed in Canberra in September, this year. Furthermore, this announcement will go a long way in strengthening people to people links between both countries. Minister Seruiratu also thanked the Australian authorities for the swift implementation of this important element of the Vuvale Partnership and the commitment made by PM Bainimarama and PM Morrison. The pilot program for the commercial import of kava to Australia has also been announced for implementation by the end of 2020. Further details on this pilot program are expected to be available in the first half of 2020. Travellers are encouraged to visit the Office of the Drug Control to fully appreciate this announcement: https://www.odc.gov.au/import-restrictions-kava-and-khat |
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Several members of Public Accounts Committee of the Fijian Parliament visiting Wellington this week took advantage of a visit to the Wellington City Council’s Southern Landfill yesterday to glean a few ideas for waste management in Fiji. This included the Hon. Alexander O’Connor, Assistant Minister for Health, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Opposition parliamentarian and Ms. Priya Chand, Parliamentary Secretary who were accompanied by the Fiji High Commission New Zealand staff.
The Southern landfill is an impressive setup particularly as it focuses on recycling and minimising the damage to the environment at the landfill.
Other remarkable features of the landfill were its gas collection, electricity regeneration, green waste mulching and water table management. The Hon. O’Connor, an engineer by profession, was particularly impressed and intends to develop a few ideas for the Fijian Government to consider.
The PAC members were invited to attend the Pacific PAC training seminar in Wellington facilitated by UNDP from the 12th to the 13th December.
The PAC members, including Deputy Chair, Hon. Mohammed Dean, MP, were hosted to afternoon tea at the Fiji Chancery. It was an opportunity for the Parliamentarians to meet the Locally Engaged Staff at the Mission and also update the staff on the work and concerns of the Public A
