The Australian High Commission in Suva has now issued a statement saying that they never disallowed the incoming judges from Sri Lanka to transit through Australia to Fiji.

The High Commission stated it is not the case that visas were refused to individuals travelling from Sri Lanka to take up judicial positions in Fiji.

The Australian High Commission said in fact, a decision had been made to issue visas to enable the new judges to transit Australia.

It revealed that the people concerned withdrew their visa applications after deciding instead to travel to Fiji via Korea.

However, it stated that as a courtesy, the Australian High Commission in Colombo advised these individuals that once they took up their positions in Fiji, they would be subject to Australia's travel restrictions policy.

The High Commission in Suva said these new Fiji judges were not told that they would not be allowed into Australia for medical treatment for themselves or their families.

It said the Australian government has allowed the travel restrictions to be relaxed on a case-by-case basis, including on compassionate grounds.

Exemptions have been granted including for travel to Australia for funerals and treatment for serious medical conditions.