AUSTRALIA TRAVEL WARNING: FijiPUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT26 November 2006 Fiji
SUMMARY- We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Fiji at this time due to the increasingly volatile security situation. There are ongoing tensions between the Fiji Government and the Fiji Military Forces and the possibility of a military coup against the Government. The security situation could deteriorate without warning. If you are in the capital Suva and concerned for your safety, you should consider leaving.
- On 21 November, the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces announced on local radio a renewed ultimatum to the Government of Fiji to meet a list of demands within two weeks (that is by early December), or the military would take action.
- Political tensions could lead to mob violence and civil disorder. You should avoid demonstrations, street rallies and public gatherings as such events could become catalysts for civil disorder. You should also avoid prominent Government buildings, such as the National Parliament, as well as all military installations and concentrations of military personnel.
- Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media and other local information sources for information about possible new safety or security risks. You should follow the instructions of security personnel.
- Because of the uncertain security situation, we strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
SAFETY AND SECURITYTerrorism Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers. Civil Unrest/Political Tension We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Fiji at this time due to the increasingly volatile security situation. There are ongoing tensions between the Fiji Government and the Fiji Military Forces and the possibility of a military coup against the Government. The security situation could deteriorate without warning. If you are in the capital Suva and concerned for your safety, you should consider leaving. On 21 November, the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces announced on local radio a renewed ultimatum to the Government of Fiji to meet a list of demands within two weeks (that is by early December), or the military would take action. Political tensions could lead to mob violence and civil disorder. You should avoid demonstrations, street rallies and public gatherings as such events could become catalysts for civil disorder. You should also avoid prominent Government buildings, such as the National Parliament, as well as all military installations and concentrations of military personnel. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media and other local information sources for information about possible new safety or security risks. You should follow the instructions of security personnel. Crime Robbery, theft and violent assault occur in Fiji, including against tourists and expatriate residents. Incidents occur more frequently in urban areas and at night. Local Travel Take care when driving, particularly at night, because of insufficient street lighting and the poor quality of roads. The safety standards you might expect of tour operators are not always met, especially for adventure sports or on boats in coastal waters and between islands. There are sometimes insufficient life jackets for boats, rafts and kayaks. Airline Safety If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The Department of Transport and Regional Services has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are provided advice not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns this will be included in travel advice. The European Union has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the Union. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO. Natural Disasters Fiji is located is subject to earthquakes. Cyclone season is November to April and may result in flooding and landslides. The Fiji Meteorological Service provides up to date information about the weather conditions in Fiji. Information can also be obtained from the Asia-Pacific Centre for Emergency and Disaster Information, the World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre or the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the instructions provided by local authorities on radio and television. Money and Valuables Before you go, organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home. While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves. As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible. Since 1 July 2005, Australians have been required to pay an additional fee to have their passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports. For Parents If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia. Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council. Local LawsWhen you are in Fiji, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter. Homosexual acts between men are illegal in Fiji and can result in imprisonment. Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia. Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia. Entry and Exit RequirementsVisa conditions change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Fiji for the most up to date information. Health IssuesHospital and medical facilities are limited in Fiji. Evacuation may be required in cases of serious illness or accident. An outbreak of mumps has been reported in Fiji affecting a number of areas in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu (the two main islands of Fiji), and possibly other neighbouring islands. Mumps is a viral illness which sometimes causes serious complications. The Department of Health and Ageing advises all travellers to discuss with their doctor whether they need to have a MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination prior to travel. Further information on mumps can be found on the Department of Health and Ageing website. There are two operational decompression chambers in Fiji and both are located in the capital, Suva. They are at Suva Private Hospital and the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. Many of the popular dive sites are located away from Suva and scuba divers needing emergency treatment are medically evacuated to the chambers. Rescue and emergency services are not as comprehensive as in Australia. Outbreaks of the mosquito-borne illness dengue fever occur in the summer months (November to April). Ciguatera poisoning from eating reef fish can be a hazard. For more information on ciguatera poisoning see Queensland Health's fact sheet. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza. Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for staying healthy while travelling overseas. We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. | 
