35-year-old Gosal was arrested on November 8 and has been charged with alleged assault with a Weapon. Released on conditions, he is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
The lake renaming follows consultations with Sikh community leaders and local traditional owners, celebrating Victoria’s 91,000-strong Sikh population.
The investigation began after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers inspected 10 boxes of structural supports shipped from China, discovering a concealed white powdered substance.
Bainimarama was jailed in May alongside former police chief Sitiveni Qiliho after being convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice in a police investigation linked to the University of the South Pacific.
The PPSG, established at the Pacific Islands Forum in August, serves as a rapid-deployment police force to bolster security across the Pacific during major events and crises.
The incident has left the Indian-origin family feeling unsafe in their own home, particularly with a newborn, a toddler, and elderly relatives living with him.
Around 400,000 Indian visitors travelled to Australia in both 2024 and 2025, highlighting the resilience of the market and its growing contribution to the national visitor economy.
During sentencing, Singh’s defence argued for a reduced term, citing his Sikh Indian background and the fact that he had only lived in New Zealand for 11 years.
