Australians stranded in New Caledonia amid violent protests as supplies dwindle
Hundreds of Australians are stranded in New Caledonia where a state of emergency has been declared after violent protests and fears that food and basic supplies will run out within days.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hundreds of Australians are trapped in hotels around New Caledonia as violent protests rage in the streets, with fears that food and basic supplies will run out within days.
Australians have been left stranded in the French overseas territory amid political upheaval that has left four people dead including a police officer and three Indigenous Kanak people.
The protests erupted on Monday in response to a vote in France’s Assemblée Nationale to allow French citizens who have been residents of New Caledonia for 10 years voting rights.
Australian Chris Salmon has been trapped at the Le Meridien Noumea Resort and Spa with up to 80 other Australians since the demonstrations broke out.
Gold Coast businessman Mr Salmon, who has been doing business in New Caledonia for two decades, told The Courier-Mail that he has “never seen or experienced anything like it”.
“The damage is enormous, it’s unbelievable,” Mr Salmon said.
“People are trying to loot, riot, and burn, and that’s happening all over the city of Noumea.
“The village of Paita where I have a workshop, I’ve just received reports that it’s almost burnt to the ground.
“It’s hard to distinguish between firecrackers and gunshots but there’s numerous reports of gunshots being heard.”
The four days of violent protests resulted in France declaring a state of emergency on Thursday, which is expected to last at least 12 days and give authorities powers to disperse gatherings and control movement.
As the violent unrest continues to unfold, Mr Salmon said concerns have started to increase regarding the supply of basic necessities at the hotel.
“There’s an ascending level of concern as there’s a very large shortage of staff - staff can’t enter or exit the hotel - they’re very limited staffed and they’ve got a limited stock of supplies,” he said.
“There’s 160 people in this hotel at the moment and we’re wondering if we will have food for breakfast in the morning.”
Mr Salmon also expressed fears about the ability to flee New Caledonia.
“We can’t see an avenue to get connected to the international airport to depart,” he said.
“There’s a definite increasing level of concern as to how we’re going to get out of this.”
Despite the predicament, Mr Salmon said hotel guests have attempted to remain positive and calm.
“We’re all trying to keep spirits up and there’s some card games being played,” he said.
“We do have the luxury of a hotel pool and a beach in front of us which is quite pleasant to look at.
“People are just trying to be as calm and relaxed as possible, while 500 metres or a kilometre away, there’s a whole lot of violence and rioting going on.”
Australians in need of consular assistance should contact DFAT’s 24 hours consular emergency centre on 1300 555 135 within Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong said the federal government continues to closely monitor the situation in New Caledonia.
“A state of emergency has been declared and a curfew remains in place and New Caledonia’s La Tontouta International Airport has been closed,” Senator Wong said.
“The government has increased the level of travel advice for the Noumea metropolitan area and now advises Australians to reconsider their need to travel due to civil unrest, travel disruptions and limited essential services.”
Senator Wong added that the government has also increased the overall level of advice for New Caledonia and now advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution.
“Those are increases from level 2 to level 3 (of 4), and from level 1 to level 2 (of 4),” Senator Wong added.
“DFAT is also advising Australians in Noumea to minimise movement, monitor the media and to follow the advice of local authorities.
“The Australian Consul general in Noumea has been sharing this advice on social media.
“I thank our Consul General and all of the staff at the Australian Consulate General in Noumea for their work supporting Australians in New Caledonia.
“I again repeat, take this opportunity to repeat Australia’s call for calm.
“We respect and support the referendum process under the Noumea Accord and the discussions underway between all parties.
“We encourage all parties to work together constructively to shape New Caledonia’s institutional future.”
Armed to the teeth: Secrets of Brisbane’s most exclusive club
Neither money nor influence can buy you membership to this exclusive Brisbane club that boasts a guest list so high-profile it is kept top secret.
Damning waitlist stat sure to get under Queenslanders’ skin
People in Queensland have a harder time securing appointments and pay more for specialist dermatologists than anywhere else in Australia, new figures show, despite the state being the skin cancer capital of the world.