Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694247814194.pdf (Fiji)
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI _____________ MINUTES of Proceedings of Parliament at Suva on Thursday, Twentieth Day of February, 2020 1.

The House met at 9.30 a.m. pursuant to adjournment.

2.

Hon.

Speaker took the Chair and read the Prayer.

3.

MEMBERS PRESENT All Honourable Members were present except for Hon.

Josaia Bainimarama, Hon.

Inia Seruiratu, Hon.

Prof. Biman Prasad, Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua and Hon.

Pio Tikoduadua.

4.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES The Minister for Fisheries the Hon.
Semi Koroilavesau, moved that the Minutes of the sitting of Parliament held on Wednesday, 19 February 2020, as previously circulated be taken as read and be confirmed.

Motion seconded.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

5.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHAIR Hon.

Speaker welcomed all Honourable Members and members of the public seated in the gallery and those watching the live broadcast of the proceedings on television and the internet.

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1 6.

PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND CERTAIN DOCUMENTS (a) (b) The Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service and Communications tabled the 2019 Electoral Commission Annual Report.

The Hon.

Speaker referred the report to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights for its deliberation.

The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation tabled the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Annual Report for the period 1st August 2017 to 31st July 2018.

The Hon.
The Hon.

Speaker referred the report to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs for its deliberation.

7.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS OF COMMITTEES (a) Standing Committee on Social Affairs The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs the Hon.

Viam Pillay tabled the Committee’s Report on the University of the South Pacific (USP) for the year ended 31 December 2018.
The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs moved a motion without notice pursuant to Standing Order 121(5) that a debate on the content of the report is initiated at a future sitting.

The motion was seconded and agreed to unanimously.

(b) Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights the Hon.
Alvick Maharaj tabled the Committee’s Report on the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 1 January to 31 July 2016 and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 1 August 2016 to 31 July 2017.

The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights moved a motion without notice pursuant to Standing Order 121(5) that a debate on the content of the report is initiated at a future sitting.

The motion was seconded and agreed to unanimously.

8.
8.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS (i) Minister for Health and Medical Services the Hon.

Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete delivered a Ministerial Statement.

The Hon.

Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu responded.

There was no response from NFP as they were not present.

(ii) Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation the Hon.

Mereseini Vuniwaqa delivered a Ministerial Statement.

The Hon.

Salote Radrodro responded.

There was no response from NFP as they were not present.
2 (iii) Minister for Health and Medical Services the Hon.

Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete delivered a Ministerial Statement.

The Hon.

Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu responded.

There was no response from NFP as they were not present.

9.

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS The Hon.

Speaker informed that there were no Bills for consideration.

10.

REFERRAL OF TREATIES PURSUANT TO STANDING ORDER 130 for Economy, Civil Service and The Attorney-General and Minister Communications the Hon.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum moved that the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence review the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Motion seconded.

The Hon.

Speaker confirmed that he had been provided with copies of the treaty and written analysis as required by Standing Order 130(2) and pursuant to Standing Order 130(3), referred the tabled treaty and analysis, to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

The Hon.
The Hon.

Informed that the Committee may table a report to Parliament no later than 30 days.

11.

REFERRAL OF TREATIES PURSUANT TO STANDING ORDER 130 The Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service and Communications the Hon.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum moved that the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence review the following International Labour Organisation Conventions – (a) (b) Violence and Harassment Convention 2019; and Protocol 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention.
Motion seconded.

The Hon.

Speaker confirmed that he had been provided with copies of the treaties and written analysis as required by Standing Order 130(2) and pursuant to Standing Order 130(3), referred the tabled treaties and their analysis, to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

The Hon.

Speaker informed that the Committee may table a report to Parliament no later than 30 days.

3 12.
3 12.

MOTION BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs the Hon.

Vijay Nath moved that Parliament debates the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit 2017 Annual Report which was tabled on 2 April 2019.

Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

13.

MOTION BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs the Hon.
Viam Pillay moved that Parliament debates the Review Report on the Unit Trust of Fiji 2016 Annual Report which was tabled on 12 July 2018.

Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

14.

QUESTIONS 35/2020 36/2020 Hon.


Ro Teimumu Kepa to ask the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service and Communications – Can the Minister update Parliament on the results of the review of the Open Merit Recruitment System (OMRS) Guideline announced by the Public Service Commission in 2018.

Hon.
Hon.

Viam Pillay to ask the Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations, Youth and Sports – Can the Minister highlight the proposed role of the ‘Youth for Climate Action’ initiative under the Ministry to engage youth and stakeholders in mitigating climate change impacts.

37/2020 Hon.
37/2020 Hon.

Viliame Gavoka to ask the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services – Can the Minister confirm to Parliament whether the effluent being 4 38/2020 39/2020 40/2020 41/2020 42/2020 Written Questions 43/2020 discharged into the Nadi River from the Navakai sewerage plant meets the standard set by law for such discharge.

Hon.
Hon.

Alvick Maharaj to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment – Can the Minister update Parliament on what the Ministry is doing to help the rehabilitation of the dairy and beef industry.

Hon.

Adi Litia Qionibaravi to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment – Can the Minister update Parliament on the status of restructure of the dairy industry since 2012. to ask Hon.
Rohit Sharma for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations, Youth and Sports – Given that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has recently established the Fiji Youth Council, can the Minister highlight the proposed role of the Fiji Youth Council in addressing youth development issues in Fiji.

the Minister Hon.
the Minister Hon.

Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu to ask the Minister for Health and Medical Services – Can the Minister clarify what investigating machines are available to detect viral disease/infections in the country.

Hon.
Hon.

George Vegnathan to ask the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service and Communications – With the International Air Transport Association (IATA) publicly declaring its desire to see increased participation of women in Leadership and Technical positions, can the Minister inform Parliament on what actions are being taken by our national airline to have more women in these positions.

Hon.
Ratu Suliano Matanitobua for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services – Can the Minister inform Parliament of the following – the Minister to ask (a) details of all rural water supply service schemes carried out in (b) the Central Division in 2018/2019 fiscal year; total value of all the rural water supply service schemes carried out in the Central Division in 2018/2019 fiscal year; (c) details of all the rural water supply service schemes in the Central Division that were not implemented in the 2018/2019 fiscal year; and (d) details of all the rural water supply service schemes being planned for the Central Division for the year 2019/2020 fiscal year.
5 44/2020 Local Government, Housing Hon.

Lynda Tabuya to ask the Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, and Community Development – Can the Minister update Parliament on the number of audio visual agents licenses issued and how many of these agents are currently engaged in film production since 2012 to date.

Responses to the Oral and Supplementary Questions were given by the respective Ministers.

Oral Question 40/2020 was withdrawn by the Hon.

Rohit Sharma.
Rohit Sharma.

Responses to the Written Questions would be tabled at a later sitting date by the respective Ministers, as permitted under Standing Order 45(3).

Hon.

Speaker adjourned Parliament until 9.30 a.m. on Friday, 21 February 2020.

Parliament adjourned at 4.19 p.m. Speaker of Parliament Secretary-General to Parliament 20th February, 2020.

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