Administrative problems should have an administrative solution, not a legal one, says Social Democratic Liberal Party leader Viliame Gavoka.
He made the comment in relation to Government’s plan to amend the iTaukei Land Trust Act of 1940.
During debate on the 2021-2022 Appropriation Bill in Parliament yesterday, he said Bill No. 17 destroyed a fundamental principle of ownership in order to solve an administrative problem.
“Administrative problem should have an administrative solution, you don’t go and change the basic fundamentals of law to provide an administrative solution,” Mr Gavoka said.
“The Bill removes the fundamental rights of ownership and discretion in relation to one’s property, and attempts to justify it, based on the administrative shortcoming of a third party.”
He said there were many ways to improve the iTaukei Land Trust Board. “If we take this approach, the administrative problem solving, we end up in anarchy.
“If we use the same logic as proposed under this Bill, then every time a government department or statutory authority delays in his administrative process, we should solve this by making away the need to apply for any consent at all. That’s what you’re saying here.
“The logic behind the Bill is an absurdity and it can only lead to chaos, and it is not the logic on which a modern society should be built.
“The Bill is legally flawed and it is tragic that the landowners, a people known for their generosity, are victims of this flaw.
“They should not be treated in this manner, a manner that is disrespectful and not the Fijian way.”
