The Australian Government has sought the assistance of Fiji in ensuring the safe return of a child who was abducted by the father and brought to Fiji.

Yesterday, the High Court in Suva granted orders that the three year old child, the subject of the Hague Convention application, should be placed in the care of his Australian mother and returned to Australia as soon as possible.
 
The Court heard that the father of the child, also an Australian citizen, had abducted the child from his home in Australia and was living in Fiji.

The father is currently under a domestic violence order in Australia.
 
In making the order for the return of the child to Australia, the Court also granted orders that the father be restrained from approaching the child and mother and from communicating in any manner with them whilst they remain in Fiji awaiting their departure to Australia.

The Fiji Police and Department of Social Welfare were also ordered to provide assistance.
 
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum said Fiji would always honour its international obligations and would assist Australia in its application to the courts.
 
However, Sayed Khiayum said it seems ironic that Australia is requesting an application be made in courts they have tried to undermine and before judges they have tried to intimidate,.
 
He said perhaps the Australian government is finally beginning to see the utility in having judges appear in courts without interference from countries such as Australia.
 
He added that he hoped this will make the Australian government reflect further on the pointlessness of placing judges on travel bans or discouraging others from taking up positions on the bench.