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MONDAY, 4TH JULY, 2016 the House Met at 9.34 A.M. Pursuant To MONDAY, 4TH JULY, 2016 The House met at 9.34 a.m. pursuant to adjournment. HONOURABLE SPEAKER took the Chair and read the Prayer. PRESENT Hon. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister and Minister for iTaukei Affairs and Sugar Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Public Enterprises, Public Service and Communications Hon. Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Hon. Parveen Bala Kumar, Minister for Local Government, Housing, Environment, Infrastructure and Transport Hon. Mereseini Rakuita Vuniwaqa, Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Hon. Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy, Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Hon. Commander Semi Tuleca Koroilavesau, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Hon. Osea Naiqamu, Minister for Fisheries and Forests Hon. Lt. Col. Inia Batikoto Seruiratu, Minister for Agriculture, Rural & Maritime Development and National Disaster Management Hon. Captain Timoci Lesi Natuva, Minister for Immigration, National Security and Defence Hon. Jone Usamate, Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon. Lt. Col. Laisenia Bale Tuitubou, Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Rosy Sofia Akbar, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Lorna Eden, Assistant Minister for Local Government and Tourism Hon. Commander Joweli Ratulevu Cawaki, Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management Hon. Veena Kumar Bhatnagar, Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon. Vijay Nath, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Hon. Iliesa Delana, Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Mosese Drecala Bulitavu Hon. Mohammed M.A. Dean Hon. Jiosefa Dulakiverata Hon. Viliame Rogoibulu Gavoka Hon. Semesa Druavesi Karavaki Hon. Ro Teimumu Vuikaba Kepa Hon. Ratu Kiniviliame Kiliraki Hon. Jilila Nalibu Kumar Hon. Dr. Brij Lal Hon. Mikaele R. Leawere Hon. Alvik Avhikrit Maharaj Hon. Ratu Suliano Matanitobua Hon. Alivereti Nabulivou Hon. Ruveni Nadabe Nadalo Hon. Ratu Sela Vuinakasa Nanovo Hon. Niko Nawaikula Hon. Mataiasi A. Niumataiwalu Hon. Alexander D. O’Connor Hon. Viam Pillay Hon. Prof. Biman Chand Prasad 4th July, 2016 Communications from the Chair 1699 Hon. Aseri Masivou Radrodro Hon. Salote Vuibureta Radrodro Hon. Lt. Col. Netani Rika Hon. Balmindar Singh Hon. Prem Singh Hon. Ashneel Sudhakar Hon. Ratu Isoa Delamisi Tikoca Hon. Anare Tuidraki Vadei Hon. Samuela Bainikalou Vunivalu Absent Hon. Ratu Naiqama T. Lalabalavu Hon. Roko Tupou Takeiwai Senirewa Draunidalo MINUTES HON. LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PARLIAMENT.- Madam Speaker, I beg to move: That the Minutes of the sitting of Parliament held on Wednesday, 22nd June, 2016, as previously circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed. HON. A. SUDHAKAR.- Madam Speaker, I second the motion. Question put. Motion agreed to. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHAIR Public Accounts Committee Membership HON. SPEAKER.- I welcome all Honourable Members to the first day of Budget debates. I would like to inform the Honourable Members that Honourable Ratu Sela Nanovo will be replacing Honourable Professor Biman Prasad in the Public Accounts Committee membership. Acknowledgement of Visitors in the Gallery The Budget process is an integral role of any Parliament. I welcome members of the public joining us in the gallery and those watching proceedings on television, the internet, and listening on the radio. Thank you for taking interest in your Parliament. Honourable Speaker’s Ruling Honourable Members may recall that during the Communications from the Chair on the sitting on Friday, 3rd June, 2016; I made reference to three requests for written rulings, which I indicated would need to be considered and delivered at a later sitting. The requests were received from Honourable Salote Radrodro, Honourable Niko Nawaikula and Honourable Prem Singh. They all raised matters of privilege and requested a determination of a prima facie breach of privilege. All three Members took issue with the 1700 Communications from the Chair 4th July, 2016 exact same comments quoted from the Daily Hansard from the sitting on Wednesday, 1st June, 2016. It was the exchange which led to the incident which resulted in the suspension of Honourable Tupou Draunidalo, and as Parliament has already made a determination that the words uttered during the latter part of the exchange incited ill-will, I will only read the portions quoted which precede it, being the tail end of a contribution by the Honourable Minister for Education, I quote: “Madam Speaker, we have also recognised our toppers, our great minds who are the ones who will be pushing the frontier, Madam Speaker. Therefore, we have got a policy for them, to look after these people who will come and push the frontier in this country, Madam Speaker. I cannot see any toppers from the other side, Madam Speaker, I cannot see, Madam Speaker. (Laughter) HON. DR. M. REDDY.- If there was any topper from the other side Madam Speaker, they would not have raised the issue of petition. Madam Speaker, unfortunately, there are no toppers there. Madam Speaker, I tell you in another ten years’ time, five years’ time, there will be some toppers sitting that side but they will be part of this side, Madam Speaker.” The three Honourable Members concerned raised issues from varying viewpoints, all of them referenced the quoted passage which I have just read out, and proceeded to lay out why in their opinion there had been a prima facie breach of privilege and were therefore requesting a referral to the Privileges Committee pursuant to Standing Order 134(2)(a). All the three Members indicated that in their opinion, the remarks provoked feelings of ill-will in the community and that the remarks in their words, I quote; “derided, deeply wounded and viciously accused the Opposition of intellectual inferiority.” The Honourable Radrodro advanced the argument that she felt especially demeaned as a female Member. The Honourable Nawaikula and Honourable Radrodro both indicated that they felt the finger pointing was particularly demeaning, with particular reference to paramount chiefs. The Honourable Singh also supported this view. All three Honourable Members made reference to certain gestures which they described as “ape-like”. Honourable Members, having considered the matter, I rule as follows: I am not convinced that there is, in this case, a prima facie breach of privilege pursuant to Standing Order 134(2)(a). The feelings of ill-will they referenced are impossible to extricate from the incident which involved the Honourable Draunidalo which is better left alone, particularly as the Honourable Draunidalo has reserved her right to legal recourse. I will, however, inform Honourable Members that although it is not, strictly speaking, un-parliamentary to cast aspersions on the mental prowess of other Members, neither is it very becoming of Honourable Members. The rule about interjections is generally that they are tolerated as long as they are apposite, which is to say, relevant to the debate at hand. Although in other parliaments, it is almost an art form, undercutting the opposite side with snide remarks, it is much better to show up the other side with the quality of contributions to the debate itself. In one of the debates in the previous sitting period, there was even a reference to the mentally ill, which is most distasteful. Such discourse, is unbecoming. Finally, if there are contributions which you find objectionable, I would invite Standing Orders to be invoked and they be dealt with as soon as they arise – a Point of Order 4th July, 2016 Suspension of Standing Orders 1701 would quickly clear up any misunderstanding, as the Member could easily withdraw a comment before it is taken any further. Honourable Members, not all breaches of the Standing Orders are breaches of privilege and I invite Members to familiarise themselves with the rules of debate in particular, so that the focus is on the quality of the contributions. After any such remark is withdrawn, the Member will be allowed to continue speaking. In the same vein, please, whilst your fellow Honourable Members are speaking, I notice that some Honourable Members are often in conversation or otherwise disturbing the proceedings, and I would appreciate if Honourable Members refrain from the practice. Thank you. Procedural Suspension Motion As is convention, the Leader of the Government in Parliament will move a procedural suspension motion pursuant to Standing Order 6(2); I am allowing this without notice as I consider it necessary for the proper conduct of the business of Parliament. I now call upon the Leader of the Government in Parliament. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS HON. LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PARLIAMENT.- Madam Speaker, I beg to move: That under Standing Order 6(2), so much of Standing Orders 23, 34 and 46 be suspended to allow the following during the sitting period beginning Monday, 4th July, 2016 and ending Friday, 8th July, 2016: (i) Parliament is to sit beyond ordinary sitting times; (ii) Limiting breaks, including lunch, to be determined by the Speaker so as not to unduly interrupt debate; and (iii) In the event that business for any given day is concluded earlier than anticipated, for business to be brought forward from the following sitting day. Thank you, Madam Speaker. HON. A. SUDHAKAR.- Madam Speaker, I second the motion. HON. SPEAKER.- I now call upon the Honourable Leader of the Government in Parliament to speak on his motion. HON. LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PARLIAMENT.- Thank you, Madam Speaker. Again, this motion is purely procedural issue. We know how important the Budget is for the country and, of course, we have urgencies in the issues that will be raised before this House. Therefore, we would expect that Parliament would sit beyond 4.30 p.m., as outlined in Standing Order 23 and likewise, Madam Speaker, in Standing Order 34, the Order of business in Parliament probably will be different from the other sittings and, of course, our motions as well.
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