People travelling to Australia will now be able to carry across a maximum of 4kg of kava with the exception of those travelling to Western Australia and the Northern Territory where the restrictions are still in place.
This has been confirmed by the Office of Drug Control under the Australian Government’s Department of Health.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu says this is a timely decision for Fijians living in Australia and friends of Fiji as this will allow them to fulfil their cultural obligations and also enjoy kava over this festive season.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu
Seruiratu says this announcement is the culmination of months of discussions and it is also in line with the commitments by the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison to further strengthen the Fiji – Australia bilateral relationship under the Vuvale Partnership.
He says it will also go a long way in strengthening people to people links between both countries.
The Minister also thanked the Australian authorities for the swift implementation of this important element of the Vuvale Partnership and the commitment made by Bainimarama and Morrison.
The pilot program for the commercial import of kava to Australia has also been announced for implementation by the end of 2020.
Further details on this pilot program are expected to be available in the first half of 2020.
