SDL's Lawyer Qoroniasi Bale said there were no special conditions attached to Laisenia Qarase's visit to Australia, except that he must return in time to appear in Court again on the 5th of March.

Bale made the comments in reply to Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama's comments, that he may not be allowed to leave Fiji when he returns from Australia within the next few days, following reports that Qarase spoke at SDL fundraising meetings in Australia, although he told the court that he wanted to go and see his children and grandchildren.

Bale said the impression created that Qarase's passport was held by the Court is a total misrepresentation, adding that there were no restriction by the Court on what he should do or say, or should not do or not say when in Australia.

Bale said as his lawyer he incorporated the purpose of his visit to Australia into his affidavit which he had sworn that Qarase and his wife were visiting Australia to see their children and grandchildren. He added if Qarase does not visit his family and engages entirely in other purposes, then it can be argued that his sworn affidavit was false.

Bale added any move to penalize Qarase when he returns to place restrictions on his movements will be ill-founded in law unless it can be shown that he has contravened or breached any condition of his bail.