PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DAILY HANSARD MONDAY, 25TH MAY, 2020 [CORRECTED COPY] C O N T E N T S Pages Minutes … … … … … … … … … … 776-777 Communications from the Chair … … … … … … … 777 Maiden Speech – Hon. F.S. Koya … … … … … … … 777-780 Presentation of Papers and Certain Documents … … … … … … 780-781 Presentation of Committee Reports … … … … … … … 781-786 1. Annual Review Report of the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs 2016-2017 - SC on Social Affairs 2. Review Report on the Office of the Prime Minister 2016 Annual Report (January – July) - SC on Justice, Law and Human Rights 3. Annual Report of the Reserve Bank of Fiji Insurance 2018 - SC on Economic Affairs 4. Consolidated Report on the Whole of Government Audit Reports for 2010 to 2013 Financial Year – SC on Public Accounts Review Report – Report on the Annual Review of the iTaukei Trust Fund Board 2017 … … … … … … … 787-797 Review Report – Reserve Bank of Fiji Insurance 2017 Annual Report … … … 797-806 Special Committee to Review Cost of Living … … … … … … 807-820 Tribute – Late Former Prime Minister, Mr. Laisenia Qarase … … … … 820-827 Suspension of Standing Orders … … … … … … … 828 Government Guarantee – Fiji Airways … … … … … … … 829-846 Questions … … … … … … … … … … 846-857 MONDAY, 25TH MAY, 2020 The Parliament met at 9.31 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, Sugar Industry and Foreign Affairs Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service and Communications Hon. Lt. Col. Inia Batikoto Seruiratu, Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Hon. Parveen Kumar Bala, Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations and Youth and Sports Hon. Mereseini Rakuita Vuniwaqa, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Cdr. Semi Tuleca Koroilavesau, Minister for Fisheries Hon. Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Hon. Osea Naiqamu, Minister for Forestry Hon. Jone Usamate, Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands and Mineral Resources Hon. Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete, Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon. Premila Devi Kumar, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development Hon. Alexander David O’Connor, Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon. Veena Kumar Bhatnagar, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Vijay Nath, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services Hon. Alvick Avhikrit Maharaj, Assistant Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations, Youth and Sports Hon. Alipate Tuicolo Nagata, Assistant Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations and Youth and Sports Hon. Jale Sigarara, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Maritime Development Hon. Viam Pillay, Assistant Minister for Environment and Rural Development Hon. Joseph Nitya Nand, Assistant Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Hon. George Vegnathan, Assistant Minister for Sugar Industry Hon. Selai Adimaitoga, Assistant Minister for iTaukei Affairs Hon. Dr. Salik Ram Govind Hon. Rohit Ritesh Sharma Hon. Sanjay Salend Kirpal Hon. Vijendra Prakash Hon. Major-General (Ret’d) Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka Hon. Ro Teimumu Vuikaba Kepa Hon. Ratu Naiqama Tawake Lalabalavu Hon. Niko Nawaikula Hon. Viliame Rogoibulu Gavoka Hon. Salote Vuibureta Radrodro 776 Minutes 25th May, 2020 Hon. Adi Litia Qionibaravi Hon. Mosese Drecala Bulitavu Hon. Anare Jale Hon. Ratu Suliano Matanitobua Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau Hon. Inosi Kuridrani Hon. Mitieli Bulanauca Hon. Peceli Waqairatu Vosanibola Hon. Ratu Tevita Navurelevu Hon. Simione Rokomalo Rasova Hon. Prof. Biman C. Prasad Hon. Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua Hon. Lt. Col. Pio Tikoduadua Absent Hon. Rosy Sofia Akbar, Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Point of Order – SO 80 HON. MAJOR-GENERAL (RET’D) S.L. RABUKA.- Honourable Speaker, may I rise on a Point of Order? HON. SPEAKER.- Point of Order. HON. MAJOR-GENERAL (RET’D) S.L. RABUKA.- Mr. Speaker Sir, I rise on a Point of Order, Standing Order 80 – Personal Explanation before we go into the Confirmation of the Minutes. Mr. Speaker Sir, when I received the Hansard Report, I note that on page 710, the Honourable Prime Minister’s speech and the sentence before the interjection by Members states and I quote: “...He should be in prison right now.” That in relation to the previous sentence where he said and I quote: “I have been taken to task Honourable Speaker by yourself but he had not been taken to task for the events that transpired on 2nd November, 2000 up at the Camp.” Mr. Speaker, perhaps my personal explanation, the generations, our future members of parliament will have access to this. The Honourable Prime Minister understands the separation of powers and he knows that no one goes to prison except on the orders of the Judiciary and I ask Honourable Speaker, Sir, that the Honourable Prime Minister withdraws that statement and that it be expunged from the records of Parliament. Thank you, Sir. HON. SPEAKER.- Honourable Members, I will look into this. I will not act on it immediately because it has just come up all of a sudden and the Hansard has been out now for a while. I will look into that separately. MINUTES HON. LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PARLIAMENT.- Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I move: That the Minutes of the sitting of Parliament held on Friday, 27th March, 2020 as previously circulated be taken as read and be confirmed. 25th May, 2020 Maiden Speech - Hon. F.S. Koya 777 HON. A.A. MAHARAJ.- Honourable Speaker, Sir, I beg to 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 all those watching the live broadcast and the live streaming of today’s proceedings from the comfort of their homes, offices and mobile phones. Thank you for taking an interest in your Parliament. COVID-19 restrictions Honourable Members, as you are aware, I had made a ruling on 26th March, 2020 with respect to seating arrangements, voting by acclamation, opening of the bar and speaking protocols for the 19 Members seated in the gallery. All these measures will remain in place for the duration of this sitting week. I am just trying to adjust my focus to see who is sitting where. Some of you look better sitting there than when you were sitting elsewhere. (Laughter) Reduce Paper Usage in Parliament Honourable Members, please take note that from today’s sitting, most documentations will be sent electronically. Hard copies will only be provided for the Order Papers and Minutes of Proceedings. All other documents including the uncorrected version of the Hansard Report and Standing Committee Reports will be provided electronically to Honourable Members. The objective of this strategy is to realise the Fijian Parliament’s efforts towards an e-Parliament. This will also reduce the Parliament’s carbon footprint and thereby ensuring our efforts in achieving SDG 13. Thank you Honourable Members. MAIDEN SPEECH – HON. F.S. KOYA HON. SPEAKER.- Honourable Members, at this juncture I will now call on the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, the Honourable Faiyaz Koya to deliver his maiden speech. Honourable Minister, you have the floor. HON. F.S. KOYA.- Thank you, Honourable Speaker. Honourable Speaker, Sir, Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Ministers, Honourable Members of Parliament and fellow Fijians watching live in this Parliamentary session. Bula vinaka and a very good morning to all of you. Honourable Speaker, Sir, this is a very special moment for me to stand in the same Chamber after only some short 16 odd months and I am happy to be back, Sir. Grateful to be part of this august House and also grateful that I can continue to serve all Fijians, Sir. Honourable Speaker, Sir, I pay homage to the Honourable Prime Minister for giving me this opportunity and having faith in me to be part of the FijiFirst team during this enduring time. 778 Maiden Speech - Hon. F.S. Koya 25th May, 2020 I am also thankful to the Honourable Attorney-General and other fellow colleagues of the FijiFirst Party for their continued confidence in me. I must also thank my friends, my family for their continuous encouragement, love and support. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I acknowledge my late father, Siddiq Moidin Koya, I also treasure his values and principles that have been engrained in me and I will continue with respect to his legacy, Sir. Being away for about 16 months, Sir, from Parliament has given me a unique perspective and I have had the opportunity to reconnect with people in Fiji especially the grassroots and the business community. I have made an effort to gauge the pulse of the nation and what Fijians needed for a better Fiji. I come back to Parliament, Honourable Speaker, Sir, with a renewed conviction and a passion to serve the people of Fiji. Mr. Speaker, Sir, at this point I wish to thank the former Minister for Industry Trade and Tourism, Honourable Premila Kumar and the former Minister for Transport, Honourable Jone Usamate for setting the momentum, Sir, and I am enthusiastic in progressing those policies and strategies of the FijiFirst Government. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the world is facing an unprecedented test. There is no secret that the road to recovery will be long and difficult. Just as our forefathers battled measles, Spanish flu, COVID-19 is this generation’s challenge. It is now our turn, Mr. Speaker, Sir, to prove that we are worthy of our forebears and that we are up to the task before us. No sector of our economy and no Fijian is unaffected by COVID-19. Today the challenges we face are real.