Brisbane, Australia: Fiji’s deposed Prime Minister has told a Brisbane meeting of Fijians based in Australia that his life remains under threat from the military-led government, reports ABC news.

Laisenia Qarase is visiting Australia to raise funds from supporters of his political party which was removed from power in the December 2006 coup.

Mr Qarase went to court in Fiji to get permission to make this trip to Australia.

At a public meeting at a Brisbane primary school hall he said the military-led interim government was ruling through fear.

“I was warned by anonymous callers that I would be killed or thrown into jail,” he said.

“There is an ever-present threat of the use of force against those opposed to what is happening.”

The event began with a prayer by Methodist Pastor Peceli Viriki citing passages from the Bible.

“Self-appointed leaders invite the wrath of God, not only to them personally but to the nation at large,” he said.

The deposed Prime Minister said he remained hopeful political talks brokered by the United Nations and the Commonwealth would eventuate, but he said Commodore Frank Bainimarama's behaviour was not encouraging for Mr Qarase’s s political party, the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL).

“The regime speaks of an inclusive dialogue and then it threatens to exclude from the talks those like the SDL who have different views,” he said.

“Their message is, 'Agree with the regime, do what we say or else.”

Mr Qarase said the event was part of a fund raising trip.

“We have mounted some very expensive legal cases in Fiji and we need that financial support,” he said.

Mr Qarase wants other countries to adopt the travel bans Australia and New Zealand have on people associated with the interim government.

“The other Pacific Island members of the Forum [will] be asked to impose a similar travel ban on personnel within the regime in Fiji,” he said.

“The interim regime doesn't like it because it is very effective.”

Mr Qarase will go to Sydney on the next leg of his fund raising tour

Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi, President of the Indian National Congress and South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a prominent global peace activist are among names nominated to chair the Fiji President’s Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF), according to Fiji Live.

This was part of the submission made by the General Voters Party to the visiting United Nations, Commonwealth technical team last week.

Ms Gandhi was named the third most powerful women in the world by Forbes Magazine in 2004 and Tutu is a church leader in South Africa.

Other names include Lew Kwan Yiew, Minister Mentor in the current government of Singapore and John Momis, a senior statesman of Papua New Guinea and one of the architects of the PNG Constitution.

In a statement, GVP spokesman John Sanday said they were of the view that the Forum represents a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity for Fiji citizens to participate in redefining their future.

“The GVP believes that the panel of eminent persons selected for the task of mediating the PDDF be people who command the highest respect at international level and, more importantly, are able to capture the imagination as well as galvanise support from the people of Fiji.”

The team’s weeklong trip follows a request to mediate an “inclusive, independent and time-bound” political dialogue after parliamentary elections were postponed.