Sanctions The Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, has ruled out the lifting of sanctions against Fiji, despite claims that some Australian businesses based in Suva are suffering. Mr Downer has made the comment in an address to a Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific forum in Sydney this morning. He says the move to democracy and a fair constitution has yet to happen in Fiji. Mr Downer says the sanctions will remain until there is a promise of free and fair elections, and a fair constitution. If they don't do it, then the smart sanctions will just remain.
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.