The Australia Fiji Business Council has condemned the actions of the Interim government officials who deported the Fiji Times Publisher, Evan Hannah.

The council, in a press statement, said that setting aside the merits of the decision taken in the first place to deport Hannah, the ignoring by officials of an order by the High Court that he should not be deported, brings into serious question the effectiveness of the rule of law in Fiji.

It said business requires a stable and certain rule of law and if state officials ignore court orders then it causes business and investor uncertainty, which will lead to further economic hardships in the country.

It is calling on the government to respect the rule of law and allow Hannah to return to Fiji and have the matter heard by the High Court. It is also urging the Interim regime to take appropriate action against those who broke the law by deporting Hannah.