Fiji Dictator Loves Our Media 'Reforms'

Hilarious if it weren't so sad! But what hypocrites the Gillard government is for lecturing Fiji on doing what they themselves are now doing. 

FIJI'S military ruler Frank Bainimarama and his regime say they are "flattered" Australia has followed the rogue Pacific nation and proposed a crackdown on press freedom.

Those who fled Bainimarama's rule yesterday said the architect of Fiji's 2010 media decree would be "laughing" at the Australian government and Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.

Leading government figures, such as Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her predecessor Kevin Rudd, have launched savage attacks on Fiji's ruler for dispensing with democracy and a free press. Bainimarama's spokeswoman, Fiji's Ministry of Information secretary Sharon Smith Johns, said the Pacific nation appeared to have paved the way for Australia: "When we implemented some of the same provisions in our Media Decree two years ago, we were roundly criticised for suppressing media freedom.

"Yet it now appears, from Labor's proposed legislation, that it actually regards us as pioneers.

"We're flattered that Australia is emulating our lead but wonder why Fiji was subjected to such prolonged protest at the time from Labor, the unions and elements of the Australian media."

She claimed Australia's position "smacked of a double standard"