The Fiji Times publisher Rex Gardener has been ordered by the Fiji Interim Government to leave Fiji this morning, January 27.

Gardener's expulsion follows a High Court ruling last Thursday, January 22 that found the Fiji Times in contempt of court. The newspaper was fined $100,000.

Fijilive reported that Gardner was the second publisher of the Fiji Times to be deported from Fiji within a year. Nine months ago the Fiji Times publisher, Evan Hannah was deported from Fiji in early May 2008 and he was replaced by Gardner.

The Fiji Times, which is owned by the News Limited, had admitted guilt for publishing a letter that criticised the court's validation of the 2006 military coup.

As a result the Fiji Times Editor-in-Chief Netani Rika was sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspended for two years while Gardener was discharged on the condition that he not break any law for a period of 12 months.

Immigration Director Viliame Naupoto confirmed to Fijilive that Gardener had been served with his deportation papers yesterday afternoon and he would fly out of Fiji this morning.

"It is because of his guilty plea on contempt of court," Naupoto explained.

"That automatically puts him in breach of his work permit.

"It is consistent with other foreign nationals that were deported. Once they are in breach, they leave."

Interim Minister for Immigration and Defence Ratu Epeli Ganilau said although he was not involved in signing Gardener's deportation papers, the Australian's removal should not come as a surprise.

"Gardener's deportation was to be expected following his contempt of court case," said Ganilau.