Editorial comment – Platform for discussions

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Speaker of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau with Government and Opposition MPs at the entrance of the Parliament complex in Suva. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA/FILE

Parliament, as usual, has been action-packed this week. In fact parliamentary sessions can be quite interesting.

There is a space for robust debates and discussions.

There is a level of respect expected and thick skins thrown in.

It is a place where differing opinions are heard, and there should be room for consensus.

This is important for democracy and for our nation. We expect our leaders to debate on issues that are important to us.

It has been interesting so far this week. The Opposition were this week divided on the election of the new Speaker of Parliament for starters.

Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya submitted Tanya Waqanika as the Opposition’s nomination for the position, while Government’s nomination was former president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau who was announced the new Speaker of Parliament.

He received 30 votes, ahead of Ms Waqanika who received 21 votes.

Members of Parliament paid tribute to the work of the late Speaker, Dr Jiko Luveni. She was the first female Speaker of Parliament.

She died last December, shortly after her reappointment as Speaker for a second term. Ratu Epeli this week assured MPs that he did not represent any political party or a segment of the Fijian electorate.

In his address to MPs after his appointment, Ratu Epeli vowed to serve with diligence, dignity and honour.

He reminded MPs that their primary interests were the same and that was to serve the Fijian people. Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu said we should not “be suspicious about China”.

He made the statement after a question from the Opposition regarding a memorandum of understanding on cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative signed last year in China.

Mr Seruiratu said the initiative was about development. Asia, he said, was now “a major player in the dynamics of the economic dimensions globally”.

Discussions also touched on the increasing statistics of rape and sexual assault of children.

The Opposition described this as a “national emergency”.

In a supplementary question, Opposition MP Ro Filipe Tuisawau questioned Government on what it was doing about the national situation on rape and sexual assaults which he considered a serious national emergency.

Ro Filipe said Government needed to convene a national forum to address the situation.

Eleven cases of alleged police brutality were under investigation or awaiting the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Three involved police officers from the Southern Division, one each from the Eastern and Northern Divisions and six from the Western Division.

Mr Seruiratu said the force placed zero tolerance on brutality.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama took a swipe at the Opposition this week, suggesting some of their actions and behaviour were “unpatriotic”.

Education Minister Rosy Akbar has assured teachers that the ministry would look into their plight and address them accordingly.

Attorney-General and Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum spoke about the liquidity rate as of the end of last month, which he said stood at $398 million.

He responded to the claim by Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya that the liquidity rate was at an all-time low of $300m.

This is what Parliament is all about.

It’s a platform for such discussions and this is something the masses will no doubt be keenly looking forward to this year.

Proceedings have started.

That is a positive step forward.

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