The Wire

The expulsion of Australia’s chief envoy to Fiji from the country has further entrenched diplomatic strains between Canberra and Suva. The debacle centres on a postponed summit of trade and diplomatic bloc, the Melanesian Spearhead Group, which Australia had lobbied other Island nations to avoid. The move appears another attempt by Fiji to limit Australia’s continuing strong influence in the region, but has also raised questions about the extent of Australia’s clout.