In addition to the state conviction, Matar faces separate federal terrorism charges, including allegations that he attempted to provide support to Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organisation.
As Speaker, Dick oversees parliamentary debates and procedures of 150 members—similar to Om Birla, who manages the much larger Lok Sabha with 543 members.
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Biman Prasad, also attended the Suva leg of the performance, calling it “a powerful tribute to our Girmitiya heritage.”
The 40-year-old Mumbai-born man became liable for deportation following a dangerous-driving conviction arising from a road-rage incident in January 2024.
A Labor campaign spokesperson called the decision “unforgivable” and accused Greens leader Ellen Sandell’s party of increasing the chances of the Liberals forming government