Australian Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Crean has refused to rule out imposing trade sanctions against Fiji if it does not return to democracy.

Crean told stuff.com on New Zealand that it is now getting to the stage of simply determining things day by day.

Crean concludes that Fiji was facing expulsion from the 16-member Pacific Islands Forum, of which Australia is part of, and refused to rule out sanctions.

Meanwhile, in a national address last night, Commodore Bainimarama called on the international community to understand Fiji's situation.