A debate occurred on Radio Australia National on whether it’s in Australia’s national interest to continue shunning the Bainimarama regime.
The debate featured Dr Jon Fraenkel who specialises in Melanesian affairs at the Australian National University and argues that Australia and New Zealand should refuse to engage with Bainimarama until he buckles.
According to Grub Sheet “Fraenkel is part of a strong anti-regime cabal at the ANU, which includes the Indo-Fijian historian, Brij Lal, and Frank Bainimarama’s former land forces commander, Colonel Jone Baledrokadroka.” Grub Sheet claims “all three are active political players, despite – in the case of Fraenkel and Lal – allowing themselves to be portrayed as independent commentators in the regional media.”