Key Points
- France declared a state of emergency after riots have resulted in four deaths and hundreds of injuries.
- The turmoil began after France’s national assembly supported controversial changes to voting rules.
- Indigenous Kanak leaders argue the changes will weaken their vote.
“The government has also increased the overall level of advice for New Caledonia and now advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Thursday.
Pro-independence protesters have taken to the streets outside the Noumea courthouse in support of activists on trial for obstructing traffic and damaging property. Source: AFP / THEO ROUBY / AFP
The curfew remains in place in New Caledonia and the international airport has been closed.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a resumption of political dialogue.
![A woman raises a flag at a protest in New Caledonia.](https://images.sbs.com.au/ed/4a/118da2f242479005e6d153bbd14f/gettyimages-2147762672.jpg?imwidth=1280)
New Caledonia’s indigenous Kanak leaders say changes will dilute their vote. Source: AFP / Theo Rouby
But the government approved a state of emergency from Thursday morning local time, spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot said.
Macron cancelled a planned trip to Normandy to chair a new emergency meeting on Thursday, the presidency said.