DOCSLIB.ORG

Tuesday 18Th June 2019

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DAILY HANSARD TUESDAY, 18TH JUNE, 2019 [CORRECTED COPY] C O N T E N T S Pages Minutes … … … … … … … … … … 1888 Communications from the Chair … … … … … … … 1888-1889 Consideration of Bills … … … … … … … 1890 Resumption of Debate on the 2019-2020 Appropriation Bill 2019 … … … 1890 List of Speakers: 1. Hon J. Saukuru (Pgs 1890-1896) 2. Hon. V. Pillay (Pgs 1896-1901) 3. Hon. L.D. Tabuya (Pgs 1902-1907) 4. Hon. V. Prakash (Pgs 1908-1910) 5. Hon. Professor B.C. Prasad (Pgs 1910-1915) 6. Hon. Dr M. Reddy (Pgs 1916-1922) 7. Hon. Ro F. Tuisawau (Pgs 1922-1928) 8. Hon. Lt Col. I.B. Seruiratu (Pgs 1928-1934) 9. Hon. P.W. Vosanibola (Pgs 1935-1939) 10. Hon. R.R. Sharma (Pgs 1939-1943) 11. Hon. Dr. Ratu A.R. Lalabalavu (Pgs 1943-1949) 12. Hon. J. Sigarara (Pgs 1949-1952) 13. Hon. Ratu N. Lalabalavu (Pgs 1952-1955) 14. Hon. A. Sudhakar (Pgs 1957-1964) 15. Hon. M.R. Leawere (Pgs 1964-1970) 16. Hon. J. Usamate (Pgs 1970-1977) 17. Hon. A.M. Radrodro (Pgs 1978-1984) 18. Hon. G. Vegnathan (Pgs 1984-1986) 19. Hon. M.R. Vuniwaqa (Pgs 1986-1992) 20. Hon. Dr. I. Waqaainabete (Pgs 1992-1999) 21. Hon. A. Sayed-Khaiyum (Pgs 1999-2012) Committee of Supply 1. Office of the President (Pgs 2014-2018) 2. Office of the Prime Minister (Pgs 2018-2028) 3. Office of the Attorney-General (Pgs 2028-2036) 4. Ministry of Economy (Pgs 2036-2045) 5. Ministry of iTaukei Affairs (Pgs 2045-2052) 6. Ministry of Defence and National Security (Pgs 2052-2055) 7. Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations (Pgs 2055-2059) TUESDAY, 18TH JUNE, 2019 The Parliament met at 9.33 a.m., pursuant to notice. HONOURABLE SPEAKER took the Chair and read the Prayer. PRESENT All Members were present. MINUTES HON. LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PARLIAMENT.- Thank you, Mr. Speaker Sir. Mr. Speaker, I beg to move: That the Minutes of the sitting of Parliament held on Monday, 17th June, 2019, as previously circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed. HON. A.A. MAHARAJ.- Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion. HON. SPEAKER.- Honourable Members, Parliament will now vote on the motion. The Question is: That the Minutes of the sitting of Parliament held on Monday, 17th June, 2019 as previously circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed. Does any Member oppose the motion? (Chorus of “Noes”) HON. SPEAKER.- Honourable Members, as no Member opposes, the motion is agreed to unanimously. Motion agreed to. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHAIR Welcome HON. SPEAKER.- Honourable Members, I welcome the members of the public joining us in the gallery and those watching the live broadcast of the proceedings on television and the internet and those listening to the radio. Thank you for taking an interest in the workings of your Parliament. 18th June 2019 Communications from the Chair 1889 Breach of Standing Orders Honourable Members, it has come to my attention that some Members are breaching Standing Orders 28, whereby Members must address the Speaker in the English language. In the same vein, Members are abusing the parliamentary process and I will be more vigilant on this issue. I remind all honourable Members that the Standing Orders is very clear and it states that a Member must address the Speaker in the English language, therefore, I will expect nothing less from all honourable Members. If you do use a Fijian expression or another expression in another language, please interpret it. I would like to know the meaning as well because sometimes what is the correct meaning and what is a swear word is very touchy. You know that as well as I do. So let us continue with the debate, but those are what I ask of you. Housekeeping Matters On some housekeeping matters, it has also come to my attention that Members mobile phones are ringing loud during the proceedings, and Members are also watching recorded footage but on a loud mode. I can hear it from here. Honourable Members, there must be some form of decorum in this august House. Therefore, I remind honourable Members to put phones on silent mode and also refrain from watching videos or footages during the proceedings. I know some of them are very entertaining, and I would like to share it with you, but I am sitting up here. Honourable Members, there has been a question regarding the adjustment of Members’ microphones. Now, there is no such apparatus with the Speaker that I can adjust the tone of microphone on this side of the House or the microphone on the other side of the House. In some Parliaments, like the Parliament of the country where I have just been to in the last month, Mongolia, the Speaker has the control. If a Member’s time is up he gives the warning, and when two minutes is over and the delegate still proceeds, he cuts him off automatically. We do not have that here, and I do not have the ability to adjust any microphones. This is what has come from the Professional Electronics Limited, with reference to the above that is microphone variations inside Parliament of the Fiji Chambers. With reference to the above, please be advised that the delegate microphones are all set at the same level and are routed digitally through a single control. Therefore, it is not possible to obtain a clear signal from one side of the room and not the other. The system, however, allows the adjusting of individual microphones sensitivities but this has all been set to default since the installation and commissioning in 2014. The only variation to speak quality may come about by delegates not speaking directly into the microphone or the different voice tones of delegates. Now some of you have very lovely voice tones and I appreciate. Others well.. (Laughter) So use the mike properly. Hon. M.R. Vuniwaqa and Hon. S.V. Radrodro - Birthday Wishes Honourable Members, before we proceed to the next item on the Order Paper, I take this opportunity to wish the honourable Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, the honourable Mereseini Vuniwaqa, one and the honourable Salote Radrodro, a very happy birthday to you both, and many happy returns of the day. 1890 2019-2020 Appropriation Bill 2019 18th June 2019 (Acclamation) CONSIDERATION OF BILLS HON. SPEAKER.- Honourable Members, I have been advised that there are no Bills for Consideration today. RESUMPTION OF DEBATE ON 2019-2020 APPPROPRIATION BILL 2019 HON. SPEAKER.- Honourable Members, we will continue from where we left off on the Batting list last night. I now call on the honourable Jese Saukuru, you have the floor, Sir. HON. J. SAUKURU.- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to contribute to the debate on the Appropriation Bill 2019-2020. First allow me to comment on the honourable Attorney-General’s remarks on SODELPA’s Pre-Budget Analysis, by sharing what Mr. Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher said and I quote: “All truth passes through three stages: 1. It is ridiculed; 2. It is violently opposed; and 3. It is accepted as self-evident.” Mr. Speaker, the honourable Attorney-General may ridicule the truth, he may oppose it, in the end, the truth will prevail and he must accept it. The reduction in the Budget alone had sent shockwaves to every ordinary Fijian and business people alike in Fiji and abroad. Your very action speaks louder than words. From their viewpoint, why the reduction in Budget when you are promoting the Bainimarama Boom. Now, the question is “Boom for whom?” The two diametrically opposed school of thoughts presented by the honourable Attorney-General and the honourable Leader of the Opposition coupled with the opinions expressed about this Budget from key stakeholders should be sufficient to trigger healthy debate. Sir, my speech should be confined to rural maritime development as well as on disaster management. As a new Member of Parliament, I had a lot of expectations from the honourable Minister for Economy and this Government to provide the necessary remedy to our ailing national economy, but that was not to be. Instead, Sir, it was a pity, a poor show and a sham to sit here for almost three hours out of which the honourable Minister for Economy took a quarter of that time demonising and blaming the past Governments, their leadership, policies and programmes for our current economic mess. Least, he needs to be reminded of a few things which I sum as follows: 1. That the military coup of 2006 qualified them to be where they are today; (Chorus of interjections) MR. SPEAKER.- Order, order! HON. J. SAUKURU.- Mr. Speaker, Sir: 18th June 2019 2019-2020 Appropriation Bill 2019 1891 2. That they cannot hide their sins and omissions now having been in power for over a decade; 3. That their time to deploy politics of diversion and excel in politics of connivance is over; 4. That the people of Fiji can see the true colours of this Government through its transparent ruse; and 5. That you can fool some people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. In sum total, Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Budget is an insult to the intelligence of the people of Fiji and an act of betrayal by this Government upon its own voters. This Budget makes a mockery of the new albeit truncated mandate secured by this Government, and is paving the way forward to an unprecedented socio-economic and geopolitical disaster in the making which will render this nation and its people bankrupt.
Recommended publications
  • 2016 Country Review

    2016 Country Review

    Fiji 2016 Country Review http://www.countrywatch.com Table of Contents Chapter 1 1 Country Overview 1 Country Overview 2 Key Data 4 Fiji 5 Pacific Islands 6 Chapter 2 8 Political Overview 8 History 9 Political Conditions 10 Political Risk Index 42 Political Stability 57 Freedom Rankings 72 Human Rights 84 Government Functions 87 Government Structure 92 Principal Government Officials 100 Leader Biography 101 Leader Biography 101 Foreign Relations 104 National Security 109 Defense Forces 111 Chapter 3 114 Economic Overview 114 Economic Overview 115 Nominal GDP and Components 117 Population and GDP Per Capita 118 Real GDP and Inflation 119 Government Spending and Taxation 120 Money Supply, Interest Rates and Unemployment 121 Foreign Trade and the Exchange Rate 122 Data in US Dollars 123 Energy Consumption and Production Standard Units 124 Energy Consumption and Production QUADS 125 World Energy Price Summary 126 CO2 Emissions 127 Agriculture Consumption and Production 128 World Agriculture Pricing Summary 130 Metals Consumption and Production 131 World Metals Pricing Summary 133 Economic Performance Index 134 Chapter 4 146 Investment Overview 146 Foreign Investment Climate 147 Foreign Investment Index 151 Corruption Perceptions Index 164 Competitiveness Ranking 175 Taxation 184 Stock Market 184 Partner Links 185 Chapter 5 186 Social Overview 186 People 187 Human Development Index 188 Life Satisfaction Index 192 Happy Planet Index 203 Status of Women 213 Global Gender Gap Index 215 Culture and Arts 225 Etiquette 227 Travel Information 228 Diseases/Health Data 237 Chapter 6 243 Environmental Overview 243 Environmental Issues 244 Environmental Policy 252 Greenhouse Gas Ranking 253 Global Environmental Snapshot 264 Global Environmental Concepts 275 International Environmental Agreements and Associations 289 Appendices 314 Bibliography 315 Fiji Chapter 1 Country Overview Fiji Review 2016 Page 1 of 327 pages Fiji Country Overview FIJI Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony.
  • Fiji 2019 Was Remarkable—We Pivoted Toward the Health of Our Oceans and This Year’S Annual Meeting Looked Into Ways We Can Save and Protect Them

    Fiji 2019 Was Remarkable—We Pivoted Toward the Health of Our Oceans and This Year’S Annual Meeting Looked Into Ways We Can Save and Protect Them

    HIGHLIGHTS Preparations for ADB’s 52nd Annual Meeting in Fiji. HIGHLIGHTS Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO license (CC BY 3.0 IGO) © 2019 Asian Development Bank 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines Tel +63 2 632 4444; Fax +63 2 636 2444 www.adb.org Some rights reserved. Published in 2019. Publication Stock No. ARM190241-2 The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by ADB in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. This work is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO license (CC BY 3.0 IGO) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/. By using the content of this publication, you agree to be bound by the terms of this license. For attribution, translations, adaptations, and permissions, please read the provisions and terms of use at https://www.adb.org/terms-use#openaccess.
  • Theparliamentarian

    Theparliamentarian

    100th year of publishing TheParliamentarian Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth 2019 | Volume 100 | Issue Two | Price £14 The Commonwealth at 70: PAGES 126-143 ‘A Connected Commonwealth’ PLUS Commonwealth Day Political and Procedural Effective Financial The Scottish Parliament 2019 activities and Challenges of a Post- Oversight in celebrates its 20th events Conflict Parliament Commonwealth anniversary Parliaments PAGES 118-125 PAGE 146 PAGE 150 PAGE 152 64th COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE KAMPALA, UGANDA 22 to 29 SEPTEMBER 2019 (inclusive of arrival and departure dates) For further information visit www.cpc2019.org and www.cpahq.org/cpahq/cpc2019 CONFERENCE THEME: ‘ADAPTATION, ENGAGEMENT AND EVOLUTION OF PARLIAMENTS IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING COMMONWEALTH’. Ū One of the largest annual gatherings of Commonwealth Parliamentarians. Hosted by the CPA Uganda Branch and the Parliament of Uganda. Ū Over 500 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and decision makers from across the Commonwealth for this unique conference and networking opportunity. Ū CPA’s global membership addressing the critical issues facing today’s modern Parliaments and Legislatures. Ū Benefit from professional development, supportive learning and the sharing of best practice with colleagues from Commonwealth Parliaments together with the participation of leading international organisations. During the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, there will also be a number of additional conferences and meetings including: 37th CPA Small Branches Conference; 6th triennial Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference; 64th CPA General Assembly; meetings of the CPA Executive Committee; and the Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT) meetings. This year, the conference will hold elections for the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), the CPA Treasurer and the CPA Small Branches Chairperson for new three-year terms.
  • Cedaw/C/Fji/5

    Cedaw/C/Fji/5

    CEDAW/C/FJI/5 Distr.: General 5 July 2016 Original: English ADVANCE UNEDITED VERSION Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 18 of the Convention Fifth periodic report of States parties due in 2014 Fiji* [Date received: 29 June 2016] * In accordance with the information transmitted to the States parties regarding the processing of their reports, the present document has not been edited. Note: The present document is being circulated in English, French and Spanish only. CEDAW/C/FJI/5 Contents Page 1.0 Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 4-6 Country Profile ......................................................................................................................................... 2.0 Part I: Framework of the basic principles underscoring CEDAW .............................................................. 7-14 Article 1 Definition of Discrimination against Women ................................................................................. Article 2 Obligation to Eliminate Discrimination .......................................................................................... Article Measure to guarantee comprehensive advances by women ............................................................. Article 4 Acceleration of Equality Between Men & Women .........................................................................
  • Pm's Walk Raises $61K

    Pm's Walk Raises $61K

    WEDNESDAY APRIL 10, 2019 l 16 PAGES l ISSUE 7 VOL 10 l WWW.FIJI.GOV.FJ FijiFocusKORO’S j FIJIANS TAKE A-G WARNS OF SEVEN ABUSE OF ADVANTAGE ACRES OF E-TICKETING SYSTEM OF HEALTH TOLL-FREE SWEET 2 157 NUMBER 10 SUCCESS PM’S WALK RAISES $61K Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama “walks the talk” for youngsters as he participated in a seven-kilometre walk to raise over $61,000 for the Sigatoka School for Children with Special Needs. He was joined by Fijian medallists from the recent Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi with PM Bainimarama reiterating Government’s commitment to persons living with disabilities. FULL DETAILS ON PAGE 3. Photo: LITIA VULAIDAUSIGA CLIMATE BATTLE Fiji, Norway work with ‘mutual sense of urgency’ NANISE NEIMILA be outsized –– “warming is accelerating for us, this menacing worldwide threat is Norwegian brothers and sisters to put even OUR nations are faced with a mutual at a particularly alarming pace in Scandi- even more dire.” more emphasis on the “Blue Economy” in sense of urgency to address climate navia, and stronger tropical cyclones have “That’s why Norway, like Fiji, has led the future international negotiations.” “change, as the consequences of rising ravaged Fiji in recent years”. world as we work to curb climate change. PM Bainimarama says all this efforts to seas and heightened temperatures are al- Speaking at the welcome reception for I thank the government of Norway for its combating climate change requires inter- ready being felt by Fijians and Norwegians Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of the ambitious advocacy in this fight, and for its national consensus and Fiji is looking for- alike.” Kingdom of Norway at Grand Pacific Ho- generous financial support of Fiji’s own ef- ward to working in partnership with other Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, a tel in Suva this week, he said, “Our agri- forts, including the Ocean Pathway.” countries.
  • Government of Fiji Gazette Supplement

    Government of Fiji Gazette Supplement

    269 EXTRAORDINARY GOVERNMENT OF FIJI GAZETTE SUPPLEMENT No. 22 THURSDAY, 25th SEPTEMBER 2014 [LEGAL NOTICE NO. 43] CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI (Section 92(3)) ________ MINISTERIAL ASSIGNMENT To : Rear Admiral (Retired) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama Prime Minister, and Minister for iTaukei Affairs and Sugar Industry IN exercise of the powers vested in me as Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji under section 92(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, I hereby assign to myself in my capacity as Prime Minister, and Minister for iTaukei Affairs and Sugar Industry, the responsibility for the conduct of the following Government business, departments and written laws (subject to the provisions of any other written law)— Business Departments (a) Office of the Prime Minister Office of the President Coat of Arms of Fiji Office of the Prime Minister Commissions of Inquiry -Cabinet Office Constitution of the Republic of Fiji Honours and Awards Human Rights Commission* Human Rights Constitutional Offices Commission* Other minority groups (e.g. Kioa Island, Melanesian Community) Peoples Charter Promissory Oath Rabi Island Affairs Rotuma and Rotuman Lands (b) iTaukei Affairs Ministry of iTaukei Affairs Disputes Resolution -iTaukei Affairs Board Education and Training -iTaukei Development Fund Board iTaukei Affairs -iTaukei Fisheries Commission iTaukei Fishing Rights -iTaukei Lands Appeals Tribunal iTaukei Lands -iTaukei Lands Commission (c) Sugar Industry Ministry of Sugar Industry Sugar Reform -Sugar Unit [Note: * indicates the responsibilities and is subject to any provisions as to independence of office] 270 (d) Responsibility for all written laws regulating the following business of (a), (b) and (c) above including in particular, the following Acts and Decrees and the subsidiary laws made thereunder— Office of the Prime Minister Banaban Lands Act (Cap.
  • 2018 Fiji Election Results: Patterns of Voting by Provinces, Rural-Urban Localities, and by Candidates

    2018 Fiji Election Results: Patterns of Voting by Provinces, Rural-Urban Localities, and by Candidates

    The Journal of Pacific Studies, Volume 40 Issue 2, 2020 55 2018 Fiji Election Results: Patterns of Voting by Provinces, Rural-Urban Localities, and by Candidates https://doi.org/10.33318/jpacs.2020.40(2)-3 Haruo Nakagawa1 Abstract Akin to the previous, 2014 event, with no data on voter ethnicity, no exit polls, and few post-election analyses, the 2018 Fiji election results remain something of a mystery despite the fact that there had been a significant swing in voting in favour of Opposition political parties. There have been several studies about the election results, but most of them have been done without much quantitative analyses. This study examines voting patterns of Fiji’s 2018 election by provinces, and rural-urban localities, as well as by candidates, and also compares the 2018 and 2014 elections by spending a substantial time classifying officially released data by polling stations and individual candidates. Some of the data are then further aggregated according to the political parties to which those candidates belonged. The current electoral system in Fiji is a version of a proportional system, but its use is rare and this study will provide an interesting case study of the Open List Proportional System. At the end of the analyses, this study considers possible reasons for the swing in favour of the Opposition. Keywords: 2018 Fiji Election Results; Ethnic Vote; Rural Vote; Urban Vote; Voting Patterns 1 Fellow, School of Government, Development & International Affairs, The University of the South Pacific, email: [email protected] 56 The Journal of Pacific Studies, Volume 40 Issue 2, 2020 Introduction The Fiji general election of 2018 was the second held under the Open List Proportional (OLPR) electoral system, with a single, nation-wide constituency introduced by the 2013 Republic of Fiji Constitution, which supposedly discourages race- or region-based political parties.
  • A-G Tells the World of Climate Action Measures

    A-G Tells the World of Climate Action Measures

    WEDNESDAY APRIL 24, 2019 l 16 PAGES l ISSUE 8 VOL 10 l WWW.FIJI.GOV.FJ Fijij FocusWOMEN FIJI CHAIRS WORLD FIJIANS URGED TO BANK’S SMALL STATES REGISTERED TAKE UP ROUNDTABLE WITH NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT BOAT MASTERS 3 TRAINING 8000 CENTRE 13 CLIMATE CHANGE’S SOMBRE REMINDER PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama shares a light moment at Wainawaqa village after issuing a sombre reminder of the impact of climate change. Fiji continues to undertake adaptation and mitigation measures for communities affected by climate change. Prime Minister Bainimarama commissioned two such adaptation measures in Naitasiri through the Riverbank Protection Projects recently. In commissioning these projects, Prime Minister Bainimarama reminded the villagers of Wainawaqa and Nadakuni of the effects of climate change and the vulnerability of their livelihood. Fiji has been vocal on the need for climate financing to meet the daunting task of adapting to the impacts brought about by climate change. FULL DETAILS ON PAGE 5. Photos: ERONI VALILI $9.4b for resilience A-G tells the world of climate action measures PRASHILA DEVI Ministerial Finance Dialogue 2 – Mobiliz- they have put the cost, it will cost approxi- it out because once you are able to get that ing finance for climate action at the United mately $9.4 billion over the next 10 years level of analysis and clarity then you will IJI will need close to $9.4 billion Nations, New York, said the Fijian Govern- to be able to build resilience in our infra- be able to attract a while plethora of financ- over the next 10 years to be able to ment was already putting in place measures structure,” the A-G said.
  • REACH Mobile Services During the Fiji National

    REACH Mobile Services During the Fiji National

    RIGHTS, EMPOWERMENT AND COHESION (REACH) FOR RURAL AND URBAN FIJIANS PROJECT REPORT June 2017 REPORT 19 June 2017 Location & Dates Suva, Fiji. 12 June (Studio 6) and 14-16 June 2017 (Vodafone Arena) (Pre-Expo) 1. Awareness-Raising and Service-Delivery Workshop; (During Expo) 2. REACH Service Activities Delivery Sessions; 3. REACH and UNV Project Booths; 4. REACH Videos and 5. REACH Press Conference On 12 June, 100 women from the Eastern Division gained awareness on the REACH Project and on the workshop’s theme of gender-based violence as well as protection of child rights. Services were Key Result 1 provided on-venue by the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Legal Aid Commission and the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission. The Fiji Police Force contributed to the awareness-raising session, in addition to the above enlisted service providers. During the Expo, 137 women from the Western, Central and Eastern Divisions of Fiji participated in the REACH Project service-delivery sessions held at designated timeslots from 14-16 June, and gained Key Result 2 information on the services provided by the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Legal Aid Commission and the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission. At the Expo, 137 participants and 79 visitors obtained information and services from the REACH Booth Key Result 3 and REACH Bus situated at the venue respectively. Visitors also acquired information on the UN Volunteers Programme through advocacy materials and discussions at the UNV Booth. REACH videos were played at regular intervals in the Vodafone Arena, to 475 stallholders and an Key Result 4 estimated 10,000 people who visited the Expo over three days.
  • Representative Democracy, the Constitution and Electoral Engineering in Fiji: 2014 and Beyond

    Representative Democracy, the Constitution and Electoral Engineering in Fiji: 2014 and Beyond

    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE The Journal of Pacific Studies, Volume 35 Issue 2, 2015 17 provided by University of the South Pacific Electronic Research Repository REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY, THE CONstITUTION AND ELECTORAL ENGINEERING IN FIJI: 2014 AND BEYOND Gordon Leua Nanau ABSTRACT In an attempt to ensure all citizens are equally represented and their interests accommodated in a multicultural setting, Fiji changed its electoral system four times since flag independence. The first three electoral systems used in 1970, 1990 and 1999 were First Past the Post (FPTP), a system of ethnic based rolls and seats using FPTP, and Alternative Voting (AV) respectively. These were systems with communally assigned seats because of the country’s ethnic configuration. Leaders then justified their adoption as a way to facilitate fair representation of all citizens. The 2014 election was contested under a new electoral system of proportional representation and eliminated reserved ethnic seats. This paper critically examines the results of the 2014 elections under the new open list proportional representation system. It analyses the intentions of the electoral system under the 2013 constitution and the extent to which its targets were achieved in the 2014 election results. The paper also highlights lessons from constitutional and electoral engineered systems in other Pacific island countries and compares these with Fiji’s new electoral and political party system. It concludes with possible future scenarios for the country under the current constitution and electoral system. Keywords: electoral system; proportional representation; electoral engineering; political stability; ethnic politics; political parties 18 The Journal of Pacific Studies, Volume 35 Issue 2, 2015 INTRODUCTION This paper discusses the process of electoral and political party engineering with a specific focus on the outcomes of the Fiji national elections under the 2014 electoral system.
  • Asamblea General Distr

    Asamblea General Distr

    Naciones Unidas A/HRC/32/37/Add.1 Asamblea General Distr. general 13 de junio de 2016 Español Original: inglés Consejo de Derechos Humanos 32º período de sesiones Tema 3 de la agenda Promoción y protección de todos los derechos humanos, civiles, políticos, económicos, sociales y culturales, incluido el derecho al desarrollo Informe del Relator Especial sobre el derecho a la educación acerca de su misión a Fiji* Nota de la Secretaría La Secretaría tiene el honor de transmitir al Consejo de Derechos Humanos el informe del Relator Especial sobre el derecho a la educación, Kishore Singh, acerca de su misión a Fiji del 8 al 15 de diciembre de 2015. En su informe, el Relator Especial celebra las importantes reformas introducidas por el Gobierno, junto con las iniciativas nacionales para superar las divisiones étnicas y crear un Fiji mejor para todos. Este examina el marco jurídico del sistema educativo y los avances realizados en la mejora del acceso a la educación, así como con respecto a la calidad y la equidad de esta, y considera la posibilidad de proporcionar apoyo financiero para la educación. En el informe se ponen de relieve las disparidades en materia de educación y otros problemas relativos a la provisión de una educación de calidad. Se analizan las novedades así como las limitaciones del ambicioso programa destinado a fortalecer la formación técnica y profesional y el sector de la capacitación. El informe concluye con una serie de recomendaciones para reforzar las iniciativas nacionales encaminadas a hacer efectivo el derecho a la educación en Fiji. * Este informe se presenta con retraso para poder incluir en él la información más reciente.
  • Greetings Prime Minister

    Greetings Prime Minister

    SUNDAY MAY 20, 2018 l 16 PAGES l ISSUE 10 VOL 9 l WWW.FIJI.GOV.FJ Fijij Focus Residents of Iwaki City, Fukushima counterpart Shinzo Abe. PM Bainimarama in his capacity as COP23 President. Greetings Prefecture, Japan, welcome Prime Minister was accompanied by a Cabinet minister He held a private meeting with Mr Abe after Voreqe Bainimarama on his arrival and senior officials for the two-day meeting, being accorded a Guard of Honour. there for the 8th Pacific Islands Leaders where he took the opportunity to call for More on pages 3,7,8,9 Prime Minister Meeting (PALM8) hosted by his Japanese support in the fight against climate change, Photo: NATASHA BEGUM PM: Step up for Climate Change Fight NATASHA BEGUM while delivering his statement at the meeting, reiterated his IJIAN Prime Minis- call to big nations for action on ter and 23rd session of climate change. FConference of Parties “The greatest common inter- CALL President, Voreqe Bainima- est we have today - amongst rama, has called on the “giants ourselves and with the rest of to of Asia” to step forward with the global community - is to more ambitious plans to re- reduce the impact of climate duce greenhouse gases. change as much as is humanly As he concluded his visit to possible,” he said. Japan where he was invited “We Pacific islanders are do- by his Japanese counterpart, ing all that we can, but we con- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to tribute little to global warming. attend the 8th Pacific Islands We are looking to lift our ac- Leaders Meeting (PALM8), ASIA Prime Minister Bainimarama, CONTINUES ON PAGE 3 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; NATIONAL MATTERS visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj phone: 3301806 INSIDE Hardware firms faces AKBAR OPENS NEWLY- Government probe REFURBISHED WARD 15 ISAAC LAL through Government’s Adopt-A-School fault but these hardware companies.” programme held talanoa sessions with The A-G said a team from the Govern- WEST OUTREACH MAJOR investigation of hard- the community of Ra.