State of emergency declared for New Caledonia as Aussies warned to stay away

Australia has increased its travel warning and a state of emergency has been declared for an island hotspot after four people were killed in riots, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong calling for calm.

Australia’s Foreign Minister called for “calm” and “constructive” negotiation, as a state of emergency was declared for New Caledonia following riots that left four people dead in the French territory.

The protests erupted on Monday night 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.

The reform, which politicians argued was democratically fair, was passed 351 to 153.

Protesters have argued the legislation will minimise the voting power of the Indigenous Kanak people, who comprise about 40 per cent of New Caledonia’s 300,000 citizens.

France declared a state of emergency for New Caledonia, which started on Thursday morning, after the riots left four people, including a gendarme, dead, and hundreds injured, SBS reports.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told a crisis ministerial meeting that troops had been ordered to secure ports and the international airport and the government representative in New Caledonia had banned TikTok, SBS reports.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said both parties should negotiate and called for calm among civil activists.

“The government continues to closely monitor the situation in New Caledonia and we echo calls from all parties for calm,” Senator Wong said.

“(The government) advises Australians to reconsider their need to travel due to civil unrest, travel disruptions and limited essential services.

“The government has also increased the overall level of advice for New Caledonia and now advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution.”

Through its service Smart Traveller, the Department of Foreign Affairs provides up to date risk ratings for international travel.

“We respect and support the referendum process under the Noumea Accord and the discussions underway between all parties,” Senator Wong said.

“We encourage all parties to work together constructively to shape New Caledonia’s institutional future.”

Smart Traveller has increased its level of advice for Australians travelling to New Caledonia, advising them to exercise a high degree of caution overall due to protests and travel disruptions.

The protests erupted on Monday night 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. Picture: Theo Rouby / AFP

“We’ve also increased the level of advice for the Noumea metropolitan area and now advise reconsider your need to travel due to civil unrest, travel disruptions and limited essential services,” the website reads.

“Political demonstrations and protests are occurring and may turn violent at short notice.”

A curfew is in place in Noumea, and there is the potential for demonstrations in other locations.

“A curfew is in place for the Noumea metropolitan area between 6pm and 6am, and local authorities have advised individuals to shelter in place throughout the day.

“This may be extended as necessary.”

The Australian government’s Smart Traveller website again increased its level of advice for Australians in New Caledonia on Thursday. Photo by Theo Rouby / AFP.

Essential services have been impacted and the main international airport, La Tontouta International Airport, has closed, with flights cancelled until at least Friday.

“Avoid demonstrations, public gatherings and roadblocks. Minimise movement, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities,” the Smart Traveller website read.

While New Caledonia’s status as a French territory has been a consistent source of political friction, the protests represent the largest scale of unrest since the pro-independence rallies of the 1980s.