Indigenous Fijians, who control much of the land, dominated political leadership up until 1999 when, under a multiracial constitution, Chaudhry became the first Indian premier. Speight's gang seized parliament on May 19 and held the Government hostage for 58 days while the military declared martial law and ultimately installed Qarase as prime minister. Subsequent court rulings found the military actions unconstitutional, forcing Qarase to call an election in August. Speight and nine others are on Nukulau Island, due to appear before Chief Magistrate Silesi Temo on April 10 to set a date for a preliminary hearing of the treason evidence. Political sources say Speight may be seeking a deal, including a guilty plea and a pardon, to speed the process.
Asthma medications face tests.
The election campaign is coming as Australian retailers brace themselves for massive impacts from last month's terror attack in New York. The Anglican Church in Melbourne has attacked Australia's treatment of asylum seekers, with some members of the clergy calling for a royal commission.