The Fiji coup leader, George Speight, has made another court appearance, just two days short of the first anniversary of his coup. The hearing was held on the prison island of Nukulau. This was the last remand hearing before Speight and the inner core of his supporters begin a lengthy committal proceeding, called a preliminary inquiry in Fiji. Under Fiji law, the media is banned from reporting the evidence produced before such an inquiry because of the influence that might have on assessors who will assist the judge if the treason case does result in a trial before the High Court. One Nationalist Fijian political party member told the ABC they want George Speight to stand as a candidate in the August elections.
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.