Parliament of the Republic of Fiji Parliamentary Debates
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PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DAILY HANSARD MONDAY, 5TH MARCH, 2018 [CORRECTED COPY] C O N T E N T S Pages Minutes … … … … … … … … … … 307 Communications from the Chair … … … … … … … 308 Presentation of Papers & Certain Documents … … … … … 308-311 Presentation of Reports of Committees … … … … … … 311-314 Questions … … … … … … … … … … 315-347 . Duavata Initiative (Q. No. 1/18) . Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Q. No. 2/18) . Reconstruction of Schools Destroyed by TC Winston (Q. No.3/18) . Statistics of 2017 – Population and Housing Census (Q. No. 4/18) . Climate Vulnerability Assessment (Q. No.5/18) . Ministry’s Disaster Risk Management Response (Q. No. 6/18) . Status of Dredging works – Qawa and Labasa Rivers (Q. No. 7/18) . Marrakesh Partnership for Global Climate Action (Q. No. 8/18) . Land Developed by the State – Intended purpose (Q. No. 9/18) . Environmental Exploitation (Q. No. 10/18) Ministerial Statements …. … … … … … … … 348-368 Suspension of Standing Orders …. … … … … … … 368-370 Consideration of Motions … … … … … … … … 370-381 Review Report on the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women & Poverty Alleviation 2013 Annual Report … … … … … … … … … 370-381 Consolidation of Annual Reports for the Ministry of Industry & Trade – 2013 & Tourism Fiji – 2010-2012 … … … … … … … … 381-382 MONDAY, 5TH MARCH, 2018 The Parliament met at 9.40 a.m., pursuant to notice. HONOURABLE SPEAKER took the Chair and read the Prayer. PRESENT Hon. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister and Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Sugar Industry and Foreign Affairs Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Public Enterprises, Civil Service and Communications; Minister for Education, Heritage, Arts & Library Services and National Archives of Fiji Hon. Rosy Sofia Akbar, Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon. Mereseini Rakuita Vuniwaqa, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Commander Semi Tuleca Koroilavesau, Minister for Fisheries Hon. Osea Naiqamu, Minister for Forests Hon. Lt. Col. Inia Batikoto Seruiratu, Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management and Meteorological Services Hon. Jone Usamate, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Hon. Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism and Lands and Mineral Resources Hon. Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Minister for National Security and Defence Hon. Lt. Col. Laisenia Bale Tuitubou, Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy, Minister for Waterways Hon. Alexander David O’Connor, Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon. Commander Joeli Ratulevu Cawaki, Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management Hon. Veena Kumar Bhatnagar, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Iliesa Delana, Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Lorna Eden, Assistant Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment Hon. Vijay Nath, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Hon. Viam Pillay, Assistant Minister for Agriculture Hon. Mosese Drecala Bulitavu Hon. Parmod Chand Hon. Mohammed Mursalinul Abe 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. Ratu Naiqama Tawake Lalabalavu Hon. Alvik Avhikrit Maharaj Hon. Ratu Suliano Matanitobua Hon. Alivereti Nabulivou 5th Mar., 2018 Minutes 307 Hon. Ruveni Nadabe Nadalo Hon. Niko Nawaikula Hon. Mataiasi Akoula Niumataiwalu Hon. Howard Robin Thomas Politini Hon. Prof. Biman Chand Prasad Hon. Aseri Masivou Radrodro Hon. Salote Vuibureta Radrodro Hon. Lt. Col. Netani Rika Hon. Balmindar Singh Hon. Prem Singh Hon. Ashneel Sudhakar Hon. Anare Tuidraki Vadei Hon. Samuela Bainikalou Vunivalu Hon. Mikaele Rokosova Leawere Absent Hon. Parveen Bala Kumar, Minister for Local Government, Housing, Environment, Infrastructure and Transport Mark of respect for the late Honourable Ratu Sela Nanovo HON. SPEAKER.- Honourable Members, please remain standing and let us observe a minute of silence to remember the late Honourable Ratu Sela Vuinakasa Nanovo, who has left us. Ratu Sela Nanovo served with honesty, integrity and without fear or favour. (The Parliament observed a minute of silence) MINUTES HON. LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PARLIAMENT.- Madam Speaker, I move: That the Minutes of the sitting of Parliament held on Friday, 15th September, 2017 as previously circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed. HON. A. SUDHAKAR.- Madam Speaker, I second the motion. Question put. Motion agreed to. 308 Presentation of Papers & Certain Documents 5th Mar., 2018 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHAIR Welcome HON. SPEAKER.- I welcome all Honourable Members to the first Parliament sitting day for the year 2018. I wish to warmly welcome the members of the public joining us in the gallery and those watching the proceedings on television and the internet and listening on the radio. Thank you for taking interest in your Parliament. Reports of Committees Honourable Members, it is to be noted that a large number of reports have been reported back to Parliament by the relevant Committees and I would like to thank the Committees for their hard work and effort. On the same note, I would like to highlight Standing Order 121(6)(b) which states, and I quote: “the Minister responsible for the relevant government department must table a substantive response to the standing committee’s report within 60 days of receiving the report.” At this juncture, I would like to emphasise the need for the relevant ministries to comply with this Standing Order, and provide relevant and satisfactory responses to the recommendations provided in the Committee Reports. The Committee Reports are important documents and the recommendations need to be responded to. Thank you. PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND CERTAIN DOCUMENTS HON. SPEAKER.- I now call upon the Honourable Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Public Enterprises, Civil Service and Communications to table his Reports. HON. A. SAYED-KHAIYUM.- Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 38, I present the following Reports to Parliament: 1. Fiji National Provident Fund – Annual Report 2017; 2. Report of the Auditor-General of the Republic of Fiji – Audit Report on State- Owned Entities and Statutory Authorities for 2015; 3. Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 1 January-31 July 2016; 4. Fiji National University Annual Report 2016; 5. Department of Legislature Annual Report 2014–2015; 6. The Independent Legal Services Commission – Annual Report 2016; and 7. Reserve Bank of Fiji – August 2016-July 2017 Report. HON. SPEAKER.- Please, hand the Reports to the Secretary-General. (Reports handed to the Secretary-General) 5th Mar., 2018 Presentation of Papers & Certain Documents 309 HON. SPEAKER.- Under Standing Order 38(2), I refer the Fiji National Provident Fund – Annual Report 2017 and the Fiji National University Annual Report 2016 to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs. Under Standing Order 38(2), I refer the Report of the Auditor-General of the Republic of Fiji – Audit Report on State-Owned Entities and Statutory Authorities for 2015 to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Under Standing Order 38(2), I refer the following Reports to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights: 1. Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 1 January-31 July 2016; 2. Department of Legislature Annual Report 2014–2015; and 3. The Independent Legal Services Commission – Annual Report 2016. Under Standing Order 38(2), I refer the Reserve Bank of Fiji – August 2016-July 2017 Report to the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs. I now call upon the Acting Minister for Local Government, Housing, Environment, Infrastructure and Transport to table the Reports. HON. A. SAYED-KHAIYUM.- Madam Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 38, I present the following Reports to Parliament: 1. Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment 2012 Annual Report; 2. Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment 2013 Annual Report; and 3. Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment Annual Report 2014. HON. SPEAKER.- Please, hand the Reports to the Secretary-General. (Reports handed to the Secretary-General) HON. SPEAKER.- Under Standing Order 38(2), I refer the following Reports to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs: 1. Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment Annual Report 2012; 2. Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment Annual Report 2013; and 3. Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment Annual Report 2014. I now call upon the Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports to table his Report. HON. LT. COL. L.B. TUITUBOU.- Madam Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 38, I present the Ministry of Youth and Sports Annual Report of 2016 to Parliament. 310 Presentation of Papers & Certain Documents 5th Mar., 2018 HON. SPEAKER.- Please, hand the Report to the Secretary-General. (Report handed to the Secretary-General) HON. SPEAKER.- Under Standing Order 38(2), I refer the Ministry of Youth and Sports Annual Report 2016 to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs. I now call upon the Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Lands and Mineral Resources to table his