Australian Unionist Charged In Fiji

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/australian-unionist-charged-in-fiji/story-fn3dxity-1226163284269

SUVA (The Australian / Pacific Media Watch): Fijian police have charged an Australian man who heads a local trade union over the alleged leaking of documents embarrassing the part Qantas-owned national carrier Air Pacific.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade today confirmed Fiji Airline Pilots' Association secretary Shalend Scott, an Australian citizen, had been charged with "unlawful access to documents".

The 37-year-old appeared in court last Wednesday and was remanded in custody until the next hearing scheduled for October 21.

Australia's acting high commissioner in Suva has made representations to senior Fijian authorities regarding his detention, a departmental spokesperson said.

"Consular officers are providing the man with consular assistance and have visited him on a number of occasions," the spokesperson said.

Scott's arrest comes after documents were leaked to an internet blogger appearing to show that Air Pacific hired a US law firm to help draft Fiji's new anti-union decree.

The Gillard government has been sharply critical of the decree, which seeks to curb union activity.

It severely limits the ability of workers to protest unfair conditions without a permit, and unions can be fined up to $US56,000 ($A57,595) for encouraging any illegal behaviour.

Qantas has a 46 percent share in Air Pacific but maintains it has no operational role in the company. The Fijian government owns 51 percent.

The Coup Four And A Half blog that published the leaked document on Monday said Scott was arrested at his girlfriend's flat in Lami, outside Suva, around midnight last Tuesday.

He is currently being detained at Namaka Police station outside Nadi airport, the blog reported.

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