Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said any attempts by Fiji to expel New Zealand's top diplomat would be a backward step for Fiji.

Smith told ABC News that Fiji's leadership appears to be angered by the travel bans imposed on them by the New Zealand government as well as Australia.

He said Australia will continue with its travel bans until such time as they see the Interim government moving towards and making progress to an election and the restoration of democracy and rule of law in Fiji.

His comment came after the interim government deported New Zealand journalist Barbara Dreaver back to New Zealand and threatened to do the same to the Acting New Zealand High Commissioner Caroline Macdonald.