Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama will not attend the Australia Day celebration that will be held at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji tonight.
Commodore Bainimarama has confirmed to Fijivillage in the last hour that he has to attend a family gathering tonight.
The Prime Minister said the family gathering is for the preparation of two funerals.
The Australian High Commission had earlier confirmed that Commodore Bainimarama was invited to attend the Australia Day function with other guests tonight.
A spokesperson from the Australian High Commission confirmed that invites have been sent to the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Commodore Bainimarama and all the cabinet ministers.
The Australian High Commission has not held any formal Australia Day celebrations after the December 2006 coup due to the strained relations between Australia and Fiji.
The High Commission spokesperson said earlier today that he cannot comment on whether Commodore Bainimarama and the cabinet ministers will attend the function tonight.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
PM will not attend Australia Day celebration
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