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Thursday 8Th March 2018 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DAILY HANSARD THURSDAY, 8TH MARCH, 2018 [CORRECTED COPY] C O N T E N T S Pages Minutes … … … … … … … … … 465 Communication from the Chair … … … … … … … 465-466 Presentation of Reports of Committees … … … … … … 466-470 Questions … … … … … … … … … … 471-506 Oral Questions Removal and Destruction of Mangrove Areas (Q. No. 28/2018) Actions taken by Government to Assist TC Winston Victims (Q. No. 29/2018) Nadi Watershed Management Project (Q. No. 30/2018) Climate Smart Agribusiness (Q. No. 31/2018) Mosquito Spraying Campaign (Q. No. 32/2018) Status of Savusavu Bay Development Project (Q. No. 33/2018) Technical Colleges in Fiji (Q. No. 34/2018) Prison Services Parole Board (Q. No. 35/2018) Physically Challenged Fijians (Q. No. 36/2018) Micro & Small Business Grant (MSBG) (Q. No. 37/2018) Flooding in Rakiraki Town (Q. No. 38/2018) Achievements of the Public Health Programmes (Q. No. 39/2018) Written Questions Nature of Workers’ Complaints & Status in 2017 (Q. No. 40/2018) Existing No. of Registered Youth Clubs (Q. No. 41/2018) Pending License Applications for Gravel Extraction (Q. No. 42/2018) Near-Miss OHS Accidents & Actual OHS Accident Reports (Q. No. 43/2018) Youth Exchange Programme (Q. No. 44/2018) Royalty Paid for Low Value Mineral & Materials (Q. No. 45/2018) Speaker’s Ruling … … … … … … … … … 507-509 Ministerial Statements … … …. … … .. … … 509-537 Suspension of Standing Orders … … … … … … … 537-538 Resumption of Debate on the Employment Relations (Amendment) Bill 2018 … 538-549 Resumption of Debate on the Medicinal Products (Amendment) Bill 2018 … … 549-552 Resumption of Debate on the Public Enterprises (Amendment) Bill 2018 … … 552-555 Debate on the Consolidated Report for RBF – 2014/2015 Annual Report & 2013 Insurance Annual Reports … … … … … … 555-556 Annual Review Report – Ministry of Defence, National Security & Immigration 2013 556-563 Review Report on the Ministry of Agriculture Annual Report 2008/2009 … … 563-568 THURSDAY, 8TH MARCH, 2018 The Parliament resumed at 9.30 a.m. pursuant to adjournment. HONOURABLE SPEAKER took the Chair and read the Prayer. PRESENT All Honourable Members were present, except the Honourable Minister for Local Government, Housing, Infrastructure and Transport. MINUTES HON. LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PARLIAMENT.- Madam Speaker, it is International Women’s Day and I wish to acknowledge the Honourable Members of the House and, of course, all the women of Fiji the very best for the International Women’s Day. Madam Speaker, I move: That the Minutes of the sitting of Parliament held on Wednesday, 7th March, 2018 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 Welcome HON. SPEAKER.- I welcome all Honourable Members to today’s sitting of Parliament. I also welcome members of the public joining us in the gallery and those watching proceedings on television and the internet and listening on the radio. I thank you for your interest in Parliament. International Women’s Day Honourable Members, today, we celebrate International Women’s Day which has been observed for over 100 years and is now celebrated around the world. The theme for this year’s celebration is and I quote: “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives”. It draws attention to the rights of rural women, who make up over a quarter of the world’s population, and are being left behind in every measure of development. We must press for progress by motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and communities to think, act and be gender inclusive. Let us work together to transform the momentum into action, to empower women in all settings, rural and urban, and to celebrate those who are working tirelessly for progress. 466 Presentation of Reports of Committees 8th Mar., 2018 A display has been set up at the main foyer of Parliament by the Civic Education and Media Team, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has provided some badges to commemorate the day. I urge all Honourable Members to have a glance during the parliamentary tea and lunch breaks. Thank you, Honourable Members. HON. SPEAKER.- I have been informed that there are no papers and documents for presentation today. We will move on to the next Item in the Order Paper. PRESENTATION OF REPORTS OF COMMITTEES Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence – Ministry of Defence, National Security and Immigration 2015 Annual Report HON. LT. COL. N. RIKA.- Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present the Review Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on the Ministry of Defence, National Security and Immigration 2015 Annual Report. The Standing Committee is established under Section 109(2)(e) of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji. The purpose of the review was to scrutinise the Annual Report of the Ministry of Defence, National Security and Immigration for the year 2015, specifically in terms of the department’s operations and administration. The Ministry of Defence, National Security and Immigration has embarked on reforming the national security sector and managing global arrangements, defending national security interests and maintaining Fiji’s contribution to global peace. Madam Speaker, the task of strengthening the national security apparatus is critical at a time when threats to the nation will continue to grow. The rise in radicalisation of extremist groups and greater instability globally, to the threat of terrorism, transnational crimes and rise of pandemics, asylum seekers and climate change has made the world uncertain. As part of its new strategic direction the Ministry will devote resources and policy support mechanisms to improve the defence and security sectors. This is part of improving Fiji’s sustainable development, expanding economic growth, protecting the country’s borders and enhancing the quality of life for Fiji citizens and visitors to our shores. The Committee commends the good work of the Ministry and achievements reported in its 2015 Annual Report. While applauding the achievements of the service provided by the Ministry, the Committee had also identified some opportunities for improvement, which are outlined in the report. I take this opportunity to thank the Honourable Minister and his Permanent Secretary including all staff of the Ministry for their dedication to national service and for a job well done. I also wish to thank the Members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence for their commitment and dedication towards the compilation of this Report. Last but not the least, I must thank the Committee Secretariat for all their effort in putting this Report together and for the tremendous work undertaken. 8th Mar., 2018 Presentation of Reports of Committees 467 On behalf of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, I submit this Report to Parliament. HON. SPEAKER.- Thank you. Please, hand the report to the Secretary-General. (Report handed to the Secretary-General) HON. LT. COL. N. RIKA.- Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 121(5), I hereby move a motion, without notice, that a debate on the contents of the Report is initiated at a future sitting. HON. H.R.T. POLITINI.- Madam Speaker, I beg to second the motion. HON. SPEAKER.- The Parliament will now vote. The Question is: That a debate on the contents of the Report is initiated at a future sitting. Does any Member oppose? (Chorus of “Noes”) HON. SPEAKER.- As no Member opposes, the motion is agreed to unanimously. I now call on the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to have the floor. Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence – Fiji Corrections Service 2015 Annual Report HON. LT. COL. N. RIKA.- Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present the Review Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on the Fiji Corrections Service 2015 Annual Report. The Standing Committee is established under Section 109(2)(e) of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji. Madam Speaker, the purpose of the review was to scrutinise the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) 2015 Annual Report specifically on the Department’s operations and administration. Madam Speaker, the FCS has moved from relying on punishment-based approaches to a more modern approach of rehabilitation of convicts, through implementation of various programmes to help them obtain skills and knowledge to facilitate their re-integration into society upon release. Madam Speaker, the FCS’s strategic direction is aligned to the Government’s Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development (RDSSED) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 468 Presentation of Reports of Committees 8th Mar., 2018 The Committee had an opportunity to visit the Corrections Facilities in Suva and Naboro to get first-hand information on the FCS Annual Report 2015. The positive impacts of rehabilitation programmes for inmates are evident in all activities of the organisation. The Committee notes that the FCS has made some initiatives to progressing the SDGs, namely: 1. SDG 1 (No poverty): The FCS has put in place rehabilitation programmes for inmates with the intention of instilling entrepreneurial skills to make them self-sufficient, in turn reducing their reliance on family members or Government social welfare benefits; 2. SDG 2 (End hunger): The Organization aims to achieve food security and improve nutrition through the promotion of sustainable agriculture. The Small Business Units (SBU) of the FCS operating under a Trade and Manufacturing Account (TMA) is a prime focus in providing business skill sets to inmates who are selected in various fields of work. This will enable inmates upon release to be productive and law abiding citizens of the country. Madam Speaker, it is worth noting that return to Government from the TMA in 2015 was $103,384.56 and from January to July 2016, the return increased to $358,160.23.
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