Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697727835160.pdf (Fiji)
FRIDAY, 28TH AUGUST, 2015 The Parliament resumed at 9.50 a.m. pursuant to adjournment.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER took the Chair and read the Prayer.

PRESENT All honourable Members were present, except the honourable M.D.

Bulitavu; the honourable N. Nawaikula; the honourable A.M. Radrodro; the honourable B. Singh; and the honourable Ratu N.T.

Lalabalavu.

MINUTES HON.


LEADER OF GOVERNMENT IN PARLIAMENT.- Honourable Deputy Speaker, I beg to move: That the Minutes of the sitting of Parliament held on Thursday, 27th August, 2015 as previously circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed.

HON.

CDR S.T.

KOROILAVESAU.- Honourable Deputy Speaker, I beg to second the motion.

Question put.

Motion agreed to.

POINT OF ORDER HON.

RATU I.D.

TIKOCA.- Point of Order!

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Point of Order.

HON.

RATU I.D.
HON.

RATU I.D.

TIKOCA.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I rise under Standing Order 24(40).

As far back as 30th June in your FBC news, the Permanent Secretary of Finance and other officials who were talking about refinancing the global bond of $US250 million due to be paid back next year.

I have documentary evidence and I need to present that as well.
However, yesterday we were caught by surprise by the Minister of Finance calling for a private meeting in this Chamber under Standing Order 24, but not before the Speaker announced the subject was the economy.

The whole country and the media heard this, and the dramatic theatrics that followed created a heightened level of anxiety among our people.

The fact is, the 2015 budget estimated deficit of $363.5 million was projected, but this relies on the sale of State assets ….
MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Honourable Member, would you like to take your seat, please.

Honourable Member, Madam Speaker had already ruled on that issue.

You should resume your seat or in danger of contempt.
28th Aug., 2015 Communications from the Chair 1837 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHAIR Acknowledgment I welcome all honourable Members to the final day of the August sitting day, and I also warmly welcome members of the public joining us in the gallery and those watching proceedings on television, the internet and listening on the radio.

Thank you for taking interest in your Parliament.


As Madam Speaker had already announced, today is the last sitting day before the prorogation, and I take this opportunity to echo her sentiments and thank all Members for their valuable contributions and robust debates.

Order of Proceedings For the information of all honourable Members of Parliament, you will note that the Order Paper for today is much longer than usual for an ordinary Members’ day.
I was advised that the Whips had met to discuss how best to accommodate as much of the business as possible.

Today is Members day and so Members business will take precedence, which today comprises primarily of Questions and Motions before adjournment at 12.30 p.m.

I have also been advised that the Special Committee on Emoluments are now ready to table their report.

First, the Chair will move a motion to allow the late tabling as the Committee is beyond the reporting deadline of 24 August 2015.
If the motion passes, he will immediately table the report.

This is not on the Order Paper, however, we had noticed from Monday that this may be coming.

So as you will appreciate there is a substantial business to complete before the 12.30 p.m. adjournment.

To that end, for the motions for debate today, the Whips have agreed to keep the debate at 35 minutes for each motion.

Government and Opposition will be given 15 and 20 minutes respectively and each side will divide their time accordingly.
The bell will, therefore, be rung when each side has only five minutes left as a warning, then the second bell once time is up.

Mental Health Workshop Members are reminded of the Mental Health Workshop and lunch provided by the Ministry of Health at 12.30 p.m., today upon adjournment in the Big Committee Room.

Prorogation of Parliament As you were informed yesterday according to the sitting calendar endorsed by Parliament, Parliament will be prorogued from 7th September.
Therefore, after adjournment tomorrow, we shall not meet here again until the Official State Opening of Parliament on Monday, 14 September, 2015.

Withdrawal of Bills Finally, for the information of Members, I have asked the two honourable Members who are moving their Bills today to withdraw the Bills.

I have been advised that the Secretariat have not interpreted Standing Orders 83 and 84 correctly.

A legal opinion will be sought urgently and written explanation provided to the Members concerned.
We apologise for this oversight.

1838 Questions & Replies 28th Aug., 2015 HON.

ROKO T.T.S.

DRAUNIDALO.- Point of Order!

Mr. Deputy Speaker, my point of order is under Standing Order 134(3): “The Speaker may interrupt the business of Parliament during a sitting, except during a vote, if a member of privilege that requires immediate attention arises.
Any member may move, without notice or a seconder, a motion based on the matter of privilege….” If I can refer you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to Standing Order 133(1) on Privilege: “Every member, and any other person speaking in Parliament, has….”, the privileges that are listed there.

Briefly, Mr. Deputy Speaker, privileges are not only our freedom to speak here, but it is also our freedom to do our work without unreasonable interruption from third parties.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, these issues have arisen before, and we have not bothered to raise them here because we believe in Freedom of Speech.

However, this is getting rather ridiculous, and I refer you, Mr. Deputy Speaker to page four of today’s Fiji Sun “NFP Stance Under Fire”, written under the name of Josua Tuwere and Litia Cava.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, that is a complete misinterpretation of what occurred here yesterday afternoon, and I raise it as a matter of privilege, and that the matter be brought up to the Privileges Committee.

And, if it is brought to the Privileges Committee, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I will excuse myself from that Committee as I am the complainant.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you honourable Members, I will invite the honourable Member to make her submission to the honourable Madam Speaker in her Chamber.

Thank you.
Thank you.

QUESTIONS AND REPLIES Oral Questions Permit Application Procedures (Question No.

197/2015) HON.

RO T.V.

KEPA asked the Government, upon notice: Can the honourable Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration indicate the procedures for permit application, for public meetings in urban areas and rural/village communities?

HON.

CAPT.

T.L.
HON.

CAPT.

T.L.

NATUVA (Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration).- Mr Deputy Speaker Sir, I rise to answer the question from the honourable Leader of Opposition.

The procedures are contained in the Public Order Act, as well as the Public Order Amendment Act of 2012.

It is very straight forward; you have to do your application to the relevant Police Commander, but there is a special form for that.

The application has to be done within seven days prior to the meeting.
For cases like marriage and funerals, we do not need a permit.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Supplementary question?

HON.

V.R.

GAVOKA.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, that is fine but can it be streamlined because when we have meetings in the western division, we only ask the Turaga ni Koro, whereas in the central 28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1839 division, we have to write and the Turaga ni Koro has to write too to confirm.

We even went to a stage where the Police wanted a letter from the Secretary General.
This is only to have a meeting with our people who put us in Parliament.

Why are we going through all these and if we do, can we streamline the procedures, please?

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you.

Honourable Minister, for your reply.

HON.

CAPT.

T.L.

NATUVA.- I do not think what else can be done about streamline because the procedure is known.
We have to pre-plan when we are going to have the meeting, there is a form to be filled, and address your application to the respective Police Commander and within seven days, it should be approved.

(Chorus of interjections) HON.

DR. B.C.

PRASAD.- Supplementary question, Mr Deputy Speaker.

Let me ask the honourable Minister, a very pointed question.

If I go to anyone’s place and there are six people there, they want to talk to me about Parliament or any of my political activities.
I will give you an example, in Rakiraki, if one person comes in and says that you need a permit, can the honourable Minister, for the interest for the people in this county, tell us very, very clearly that for those kinds of meetings, we do not need a permit?

That is what I think the point of our question is, that people need to understand that as politicians and Members of Parliament, we can move around the country and meet people and talk to them, Mr Deputy Speaker.
MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- The honourable Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration, the floor is yours.

HON.

CAPT.

T.L.

NATUVA.- The Police is just following the law.

If you need an amendment to the law, you have to follow normal procedures or apply.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Is it a supplementary question?

HON.

ROKO T.T.S.

DRAUNIDALO.- Yes, Mr Deputy Speaker.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Because we only allow for two supplementary questions.

HON.

ROKO T.T.S.

DRAUNIDALO.- No, Sir.


MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Alright.

HON.

ROKO T.T.S.

DRAUNIDALO.- I ask the honourable Minister, could he ask the Commissioner of Police to follow the law, under the Public Order Act, that this is directed to terrorists fraternizing in a public place and some were in uniform in a small town this week?

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Honourable Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration.

HON.

RO T.V.

KEPA.- Sir, can I ask a question?


Supplementary question, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

This is a constituency requirement that honourable Members visit the constituency which is nationwide, and to make these visits, there are requirements in place which we have to get the Turaga ni Koro’s authorisation.
Now, for example on an island like Beqa, for us to visit, we have to send a 1840 Suspension of Standing Orders 28th Aug., 2015 person ahead of us with yaqona and the whole exercise and visiting the villages to get the authorisation from the Turaga ni Koro, can be over $600, without even us making a visit.
So we are asking the honourable Minister for Defence, since we are not terrorists or outlaws, can he relax the permit authorisation so that we can visit, like law abiding citizens, and I am sure the Government when they visit, they do not need any authorisation.

So can we ask him to treat us like Parliamentarians when we are visiting the constituencies and we do not need a police permit because we are only doing our duty as per the Constitution?

Thank you honourable Deputy Speaker.


MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you honourable Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration.

HON.

CAPT.

T.L.

NATUVA.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, due to the limited time that we have today, it would be best that the Opposition write to us ask and then we can consider and take it to the relevant authority to decide on that, otherwise we will debate all this for the next half hour.

Thank you.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, if there are no supplementary questions.
I now call upon the honourable Dulakiverata for the second oral question for today.

World Bank Comprehensive Review - Restructure of Civil Service (Question No.

198/2015) HON.

J. DULAKIVERATA asked the Government, upon notice: Can the honourable Attorney General, Minister for Finance, Public Enterprises, Public Service and Communications explain what is the progress of the comprehensive review by the World Bank to restructure the Civil Service?

HON.
HON.

A. SAYED-KHAIYUM (Attorney General, Minister for Finance, Public Enterprises, Public Service and Communications).- Thank you, Honourable Deputy Speaker, and thank you honourable Member for this question, given the fact that he is also a former civil servant, I thank him for his interest.

Honourable Deputy Speaker, as you are aware, we had announced last year and also made a budgetary allocation of $500,000 to support Civil Service reforms in Fiji.
Section 123 of the Fijian Constitution, Honourable Deputy Speaker, sets out a number of clear guidelines, regarding the values and principles that the Fijian Civil Service should have.

I must clarify, Honourable Deputy Speaker, that the Civil Service Reform is not driven by World Bank itself, but indeed they are partnering with us in respect of some of the reforms we want to bring about in the Fijian Civil Service.
The Government recognises that an effective and accountable public sector is essential to achieving a prosperous and stable Fiji.

In this context, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the reform of Civil Service is Government’s highest priority.

In reaching out to the World Bank, Honourable.

Deputy Speaker, we have set up a structure which is called the Civil Service Reform Management Unit (CSRMU).
It has advertised positions within the CSRMU and the Director of the CSRMU is Ms. Makereta Konrote, who was seconded from the Ministry of Finance and an officer from PSC and the recruitment of two other research officers.
The way it works with the World Bank, Honourable Deputy Speaker, is that they have already sent down a number of their staff to Fiji, they have met up with some of the key ministries for example, Agriculture, Education, Infrastructure and some of the other ministries and indeed, they have identified some of the problems.
28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1841 There are some specific issues that had been identified and it is very critical, Honourable Deputy Speaker, to identify problem areas first, because Civil Service Reforms simply cannot be done overnight.

It must be done in a very focused and concerted manner.

We will need to have the confidence of all the civil servants and indeed, most of all, we need to have the confidence of the Fijian people, as a whole.
If I could highlight, Honourable Deputy Speaker, the specific issues that had been identified so far; firstly, the numbers and skill mix of civil servants are inappropriate, processes are bureaucratic and out of date, causing frustrations for citizens and businesses.

Ministries have overlapping responsibilities and there is considerable scope for reducing waste and inefficiency.

Previous history of recruitment and promotions were not always based upon the merit principle.
The inability of the public service overall to attract and retain (as we talked about retention) the best talent and those who are in civil service are not provided with adequate incentives to perform to the best of their capabilities.

These for example, Honourable Deputy Speaker, include issues.

So, for example the salaries are always pegged at the lower end of the scale and people do not have the ability to move up and down the scale.
In order for them to get a pay rise in many instances or move up to the next level, they would look for a promotion.

And indeed for example, what used to happen and without the problem being fixed up can happen is if I for example, am a Senior Principal Administrative officer and I want to move up to the Director level.
I may be for example, in the Ministry of Trade and if I feel there is no way to move up the ladder, I will look for a Director position in one of the other ministries and I may move to a completely different ministry where I many not have any knowledge whatsoever, but because I have been in the Civil Service for a long period of time, I actually may get promoted to that position.
So, all that knowledge base that I have gained whilst with the Ministry of Trade is lost, so the Civil Service overall losses out, but you get a person in a position that really should not be there.

Career management, especially for professional and technical staff is problematic with growth and promotion avenues available only in management cadres.

We need to nurture the people at the lower end of the scale.

The need for training and upgrading staff skills and competencies.
These were some of the issues that were identified.

Some other issues that have been identified, Honourable Deputy Speaker, is that the team identified there are major weaknesses at the interface between the public and the Civil Service, with the Civil Service often inaccessible, unresponsive and bureaucratic.

These problems are pronounced in relation to particular certification and regulatory processes.
Central agencies do not have the sufficient tools and capacity to monitor and motivate delivery of high priority projects and programmes.
Honourable Deputy Speaker, in order to get these reforms in place, we have also reached out through the World Bank’s efforts and assistance to a number of our development partners and they have in fact, Honourable Deputy Speaker, set a trust fund in which our donor countries can contribute funds into that, and then whenever you hire consultants for any work specifically, documentation needs to be rolled out, that funding comes from there.
I am happy to announce that the Australian Government has already committed US$3 million over the next three years as technical assistance.

So, if for example, a specific technical assistance is required to for example, look at Agriculture.
How many people does the Ministry of Agriculture require, the Minister obviously has an input, how many outfield or research officers he requires, what is the capacity that is required, the assessment of that, and the funding for all that will come through this particular trust fund that has been set aside.

28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1842 We are at the moment talking to some other donors who are actually interested.
In fact this morning, Honourable Deputy Speaker we had a meeting with the President of the Asian Development Bank who is in the country, and who will be meeting with the honourable Prime Minister this morning at 11.00 a.m. where they have also said, that they are very keen on this Civil Service Reforms that we are carrying out.

So, the progress, Honourable Deputy Speaker, has been in relation to the identification and assessment of those issues.
We have got a number of other people coming in and we hope to carry out some specific reforms.

By end of next month, Honourable Deputy Speaker, we will be rolling out a centralised policy guideline in respect to merit based recruitment and selection.

As you know, Honourable Deputy Speaker, under the Constitution now, the appointments are carried out through the Permanent Secretaries with the concurrence of the Ministers.
But in order to ensure that there is across the board -with none of the Permanent Secretaries playing any funny business - there has to be a criteria for selection and recruitment that must be across the board and transparent.
With open competition transparency, we will be sending out specific standard operating procedures, fair and consistent discipline procedures, all need to be across the board, economies of scale and ongoing provisions of core common training activities, for example, we do not want simply the ministries to go off and do their own training.

Across the board all the ministries for example, will require training in word, in computers.

So, we cannot just have one ministry going off and doing their own thing.
It can be all centralised to be able to gauge their efficiencies in the training programmes.

So, that will be rolled out, Honourable Deputy Speaker, by September.

Personally Honourable Deputy Speaker, pace needs to increase and we have already had discussions with the World Bank and we hope to get a lot more traction in the next few months.

Thank you Honourable Deputy Speaker.

HON.

S.V.

RADRODRO.- A supplementary question, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
I would like to acknowledge the running comments by the honourable Minister, which I find quite irrelevant because the question only focussed on the actual progress and may I refresh our memories in this “Turning promises into Deeds” booklet, which actually said and I quote,” a comprehensive review will be conducted by the World Bank in 2015” and that is what it is saying in this Budget.
And also in my budget response address I had requested the honourable Minister, for a copy of the plan of the Civil Service Reform Plan, if it had been done.

So, again I am asking now, is this Civil Service Reform Plan in place, and if it is in place can I again request for a copy?

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

HON.

A. SAYED-KHAIYUM.-Honourable Deputy Speaker, I think the honourable Member is not listening to what I said.
In fact the consultations, Honourable Deputy Speaker, started last year when the World Bank was already on the ground before the end of the year, so the work has already started.

The honourable Member of course is a former civil servant also, perhaps Honourable Deputy Speaker, she does not realise that when we do carry out reforms, we simply cannot go in with all guns blazing.

We need to identify the problems and that is all part of the reform.
We need to identify where are the loopholes, where are the gaps.

We have large ministries like Education and Agriculture, that have very high level responsibilities that use budgets, so we need to be able to identify.

They are systemic problems; they have been languishing in the system since Independence days.
We have, for example, Honourable Deputy Speaker, when I went to the Ministry of Justice in 2007, we had one gentleman whose responsibility and job description was to look after all the vehicles in that particular Ministry and the Ministry had one vehicle; that was his job.

HON.

S.V.

RADRODRO.- Point of Order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1843 MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER,.- Point of Order.

HON.

S.V.
HON.

S.V.

RADRODRO.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, Standing Order 60 says that the response must be relevant.

I asked for a Civil Service Reform Plan, whether it is done or not, if it is available, can I have a copy?

It is simple, just a yes or no and when can I get a copy?

Thank you, honourable Speaker.

HON.

A. SAYED-KHAIYUM.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, can I get a clarification from the honourable Member when she says, “plan” does she mean a written down plan?

HON.

S.V.
HON.

S.V.

RADRODRO.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, being the Minister for the Civil Service, yes, it is a plan, a document.

It is a planned document about the Civil Service Reform that will tell us how you are going to do it, where you are going to get the money from, who is going to do it, and the time frame.

That is all I am asking for so that we know how the Civil Service Reform will roll out?

HON.
HON.

A. SAYED-KHAIYUM.-Honourable Deputy Speaker, in order for me to answer the question, I need to understand the mind of the honourable Member and what is in her mind, I cannot ascertain because when you talk about a plan, you do not think about that plan in oblivion, in this vacuum.

HON.

S.V.

RADRODRO.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, Point of Order.


Can I just request that the honourable Minister, being the gentleman he is, just say, “yes, the plan is there or it is not there” and if it is there, can I have a copy?

HON.

A. SAYED-KHAIYUM.- I will take the cue from the honourable Member sitting next to the honourable Member, and he says “oral” or “written”, there is an oral plan.

I can verbally tell you of what the plan is.

(Applause) HON.

J. DULAKIVERATA.- Supplementary question.


Mr. Deputy Speaker, the exercise was budgeted in this year’s budget and for that to happen this year, then it should have had a plan already done.

This is August already, next week is September so is it going to be implemented this year?

HON.

A. SAYED-KHAIYUM.-Honourable Deputy Speaker, the $500,000, obviously is part of the restructure of the Civil Service.
I just highlighted in my answer that people have been recruited for the CSR MU Unit so obviously they need to be paid.

They get paid from the $500,000 to carry out the very exercise that I said that currently is being carried out.

We need to be able to do that in order to ascertain what are the deficiencies in the respective Ministries, one needs people to actually go there and find out what the problems are.
One needs to talk to the respective Ministers to find out what the problems are and then one deals with the respective ministries.

As I have also highlighted, Honourable Deputy Speaker, we have already agreed to roll out the plan, Standing Operating Procedures in terms of recruitment and disciplinary processes that will apply across the board.

That obviously costs money too, so the budget is being utilised from that perspective.
We also have, Honourable Deputy Speaker, with the World Bank, we have the concept note regarding technical assistance for the Fijian Civil Service; that is all in place.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- There being no other supplementary question, we will now move onto the third oral question for today.

Water Supply - Clopcott Street & Rotary Anandpur Settlement in Ba (Question No.

199/2015) 28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1844 HON.
P. SINGH asked the Government, upon notice: Would the honourable Minister for Local Government, Housing, Infrastructure and Transport answer the following: (a) Why have the residents of Clopcott Street and Rotary Anandpur Settlement of Ba not been supplied with clean drinking piped water, as promised to be delivered by January 2015; and (b) When will residents of Clopcott Street and Rotary Anandpur Settlement in Ba receive clean drinking piped water, which was promised to be delivered in January, 2015?
HON.

P.B.

KUMAR (Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Infrastructure & Transport).- Mr. Deputy Speaker, can I request the honourable Member to clarify whether he is referring to the whole of Clopcott and Anandpur or part of Clopcott and Anandpur and, secondly, who promised?

HON.
HON.

P. SINGH.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I have petitions here from the residents of Clopcott Street and Anandpur Sub-Division which I can table to Parliament for his reference which encompasses parts of both the settlements.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Honourable Singh, if there is a petition, there is a provision in the Standing Orders that you will have to go through.

HON.
HON.

P. SINGH.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, for the purpose of clarity, this was a petition to us, and on the basis of this petition I am asking the honourable Minister.

HON.

P.B.

KUMAR.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, my good friend has just responded to part of what I have asked.

The last part he has missed, “who promised”, because this is important for us.

He has raised this in this House.

HON.

P. SINGH.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, again for the benefit of the honourable Minister, the Government had promised.

HON.

P.B.
HON.

P.B.

KUMAR.- In other words, what he is saying is that they were sure of not winning and forming the Government.

(Laughter) HON.

P. SINGH.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, Point of Order.

This is an oral question to the honourable Minister and the honourable Minister must answer that question.

You do not answer questions with a question.

HON.

P.B.

KUMAR.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I will answer.

Now he has clarified himself by saying part of it.

HON.
HON.

P. SINGH.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, this question was assessed and allowed at the Business Committee where three Members of the Government side were present.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Honourable Singh, you are responsible for the accuracy of your statement.

28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1845 HON.

DR. B.C.

PRASAD.- A supplementary question, Mr. Deputy Speaker; can the honourable Minister tell us the reason why they probably do not have water because they ….

HON.

GOVT.

MEMBERS.- What is the question?


HON.

DR. B.C.

PRASAD.- I am asking the question.

HON.

P.B.

KUMAR.- A Point of Order, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I have not responded to him, how come there are supplementary questions coming up?

HON.

OPPOSITION MEMBER.- That is your responsibility as a Minister.

HON.

P.B.

KUMAR.- That was my clarification, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, there are about 166 houses and 22 are without piped water but there is a provision of borehole.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, for Anandpur, there is about 120 houses and 14 without piped water but there is a provision of boreholes.

Mr Deputy Speaker, let me assure this House that from our side, there was no promise but this Government is all about doing good for all the Fijians … HON.

P.B.

KUMAR.- …and this programme has been put into our 2016 Programme and I am also happy to inform the House that the survey has been carried out and it would be implemented in 2016.

HON.
HON.

J. DULAKIVERATA.- A supplementary question, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

This area in Ba, Clopcott I know this area very well, and there was a programme by the Ba Town Council to develop this area into residential.

It used to be a squatter settlement, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and half way through the development, it was stopped by the former Acting Minister for Local Government.

If that development was allowed to be completed, those people would have got water connected to their homes.
(Chorus of interjections) HON.

P.B.

KUMAR.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the honourable Member said that he knew that area very well which, I believe, he is not.

The reason being, that area has been subdivided and the residents have been issued agreement to lease.

So, what is he talking about?

HON.

J. DULAKIVERATA.- Government hasn’t completed, otherwise they get a registered lease.

HON.

P.B.

KUMAR.- That is the process, you should know better.

HON.

J. DULAKIVERATA.- Yes, because they were stopped.


Fiji’s Key Growth Tourism Markets (Question No.

200/2015) HON.

S. PATEL.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, before I ask my question, I would like to take this time to wish your team, Nadroga, all the best in this weekend’s game in the Farebrother but definitely, Nadi should come out victors.

It is a big challenge.

I am wishing them all the best but definitely, Nadi will win.
28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1846 Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to ask the question, standing under my name in today’s Order Paper, as follows: Could the honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism identify and inform the House on the key growth tourism markets for Fiji, and which markets have shown the largest increases this year?

HON.

F.S.
HON.

F.S.

KOYA.- (Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism).-Honourable Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to respond to the question raised by the honourable Member and would like to thank him for his question.

Honourable Deputy Speaker, Sir, the key growth areas in terms of the tourism markets for Fiji are actually China, India, the USA, obviously Australia and the rest of Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the Pacific Islands.
Honourable Deputy Speaker, Sir, the total visitor arrivals for the first seven months of 2015 currently sits at 415,011 and this is an increase of about 35,584 or 9.4 per cent, and this is compared to the same period in 2014.

We have actually set a high target on this, Honourable Deputy Speaker, of about 714,000 visitors this year, and we are looking at achieving it and I am confident that we will surpass this target, contrary to popular belief on the other side.
Honourable Deputy Speaker, Sir, our largest increases for 2015 are from our non-traditional tourism markets, such as China at about 40 per cent, Pacific Islands at 27 per cent, South Korea at 25 per cent, rest of Asia at 22 per cent and India at 13 per cent.

The increase also has been recorded from two of the largest markets, that is, Australia and New Zealand.
The visitor numbers from New Zealand are up by about 14 per cent and have been increasing at a faster rate compared to Australia, which is four per cent.

Honourable Deputy Speaker, Sir, this increase, especially from the Asian market, clearly indicates that the marketing initiatives in these markets are effective and despite the issues of distance and unavailability of flights, we are actually reaping results.
Some examples of the strategies that we have employed basically: 1) Geo-targeted digital marketing campaigns in each of the target regions.

For example, Brides Campaign recently run in the North American market, focussing on honeymoon destinations in Fiji.

2) Co-operation with trade partners in the Chinese market, Tourism Fiji has actually partnered with Guangdong Peace International Travel and Rosie Holidays.

3) Tactical campaigns which include industry partners.
Earlier this year, we had Tourism Fiji attended SATTE (South Asia’s Premier Travel and Trade Event) with industry partners, Rosie Holidays, and Tour Managers.

Tourism Fiji has embarked on the India Roadshow which covered Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, which is an important emerging market.

4) Global branding campaigns and advertising placement in key publications.

5) Targeted Public Relations; and obviously, Social Media.
28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1847 Honourable Deputy Speaker, Sir, it should also be noted that these increases are recorded during low seasons for our tourism industry.

Fiji is increasingly becoming the destination for travellers around the world.

Honourable Deputy Speaker, Sir, in response to the comments made yesterday, that recent problems have maintained Fiji’s democracy will have an adverse impact on visitors, is totally wrong.

We have not seen a decrease at all till today.


Honourable Deputy Speaker, I wish to inform the members of this august House that despite what was pointed out yesterday about regional media wrongly reporting the arrests, the industry has confirmed that there is no extraordinary change to the bookings that were made.

In fact, the industry is enjoying a peak period at the moment.

Honourable Deputy Speaker, as stated earlier, we are well on track to achieving our targets and.
we are able to maintain this upward trajectory because we have a strong industry that is geared to adapt to the changes in the environment.

Furthermore, the Ministry and Tourism Fiji are creating a good relationship with the industry, and will continue to put in place adequate policies that will ensure long term sustainability.

The Fijian Tourism Development Plan obviously should be out shortly and will set out the plan for the next five years to increase it to a $2 billion industry by 2020.
I thank you,Honourable Deputy Speaker, Sir.

HON.

S. PATEL.- A supplementary question, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir; could the honourable Minister explain which markets has shown the largest increase this year percentage-wise?

HON.

F.S.

KOYA.- .- Honourable Deputy Speaker, to be specific, China stands at 40 per cent, the Pacific Islands stand 27 per cent, South Korea stands at 25 per cent, the rest of Asia at 22 per cent, New Zealand at 14 per cent, India at 13 per cent and Australia at four per cent.
It should be also noted, Sir, that Australia and New Zealand combined, still make up 64 per cent of our total visitor arrivals.

HON.

V.R.

GAVOKA.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, a supplementary question.

Sir, 714,000 arrivals forecasted for 2015, if you had kept to the plans that we had, it should have been 925,000.

So let us not get excited about 714,000, it should have been 925,000 today.

Deputy Speaker, all the increases from these markets are from a very low-base, so let us not get excited about them.
China and India are very low but New Zealand is alright.

My question, Mr. Deputy Speaker is; are you looking at increasing the budget to the traditional markets because I think we believe with the turmoil in the finances, in the universal community, globally, you may need to stay close to your tourism markets when you budget for next year.

And let us forget about this $12 million for golf, which is a waste of money.

HON.

F.S.
HON.

F.S.

KOYA.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, first of all, I must say, that I have said this over and over again in this House, the honourable Member keeps going on about numbers at 900,000, et cetera.

It is not about the numbers, Sir.

HON.

OPPOSITION MEMBERS.- It’s just not about the numbers!

HON.

F.S.

KOYA.- It is not just about the numbers!


Currently we stand at about $1.4 billion, so it is about the yield, it is about money that is spent in Fiji and as further, the current programmes with Australia and New Zealand….

(Inaudible interjection) 28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1848 HON.

F.S.

KOYA.- I just spell it out, it is a continuing programme, we have been benefitting.

Australia is actually in a downturn itself, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
So I think, maybe the honourable Member needs to focus as to how much money is being spent in Fiji by 714,000 people at the moment and it is at a record high.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you.

Supplementary question?

HON.

ROKO T.T.S DRAUNIDALO.- Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

I ask the honourable Minister, it was brought to my attention by someone in the Tourism Industry that the board of Fiji Airways does not have someone with a strong tourism background or qualification.
Can the honourable Minister please tell us if that is the case and if the honourable Minister could look into whether or not that could be helped?

HON.

F.S.

KOYA.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, a little research would tell you that the board of Fiji Airways does not fall under the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Trade.

It falls under the gentlemen sitting in front of me.

It is a Fiji Airways question, about Fiji Airways, I cannot answer Fiji Airways.
That has to be directed to the honourable Minister for Civil Aviation.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you.

Supplementary question.

HON.

V.R.

GAVOKA.- Mr .Deputy Speaker, when can Tourism Fiji have a CEO?

The last one left in the middle of the night, telling no one that he was living the country.

When are going to get a new CEO?

HON.

A.A. MAHARAJ.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, he cannot be asking second supplementary question.

HON.

J. DULAKIVERATA.- That is up to the Speaker.

HON.

S.V.
HON.

S.V.

RADRODRO.- That is the Speaker’s call.

HON.

A.A. MAHARAJ.- I believe I raised to actually asked a supplementary question?

HON.

J. DULAKIVERATA.- You want to be a Speaker?

HON.

A.A. MAHARAJ.- Can we your ruling on that, Sir.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, honourable Member.

The ruling has been made.

(Laughter) HON.

F.S.


KOYA.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, first of all that question that had just been posed, obviously had been answered by me a lot earlier, and also it is irrelevant to the question that was posed by honourable Sanjit Patel.

HON.

OPPOSITION MEMBERS.- It is about the industry.

HON.

F.S.

KOYA.- Yes, Sir, but be specific.

HON.

V.R.

GAVOKA.- No, CEO….. 28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1849 HON.

F.S.
F.S.

KOYA.- I am not saying anything, if you wish to ask me that question honourable Gavoka, you can ask me later.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, we will now go onto the fifth oral question and I invite the honourable Samuela Vunivalu.

Preparation for Rugby World Cup 2015 (Question No.

201/2015) HON.

S.B.

VUNIVALU.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, cola vina.

I rise this morning as a former rugby player who participated in the first Rugby World Cup in 1987 held in New Zealand, where we reached the Quarter-Final.
(Acclamation) In those days, Mr. Deputy Speaker, facilities and training were not that good and we faced great difficulties in carrying the Fiji banner to the World Cup.

(Chorus of interjections) My question is: Can the honourable Minister for Youth and Sports inform the House on the current preparations towards the Rugby World Cup 2015?

HON.

LT. COL. L.B.

TUITUBOU (Minister for Youth and Sports).- Mr. Deputy Speaker.

I thank honourable Vunivalu for that question.


I think it is a very interesting question and the whole nation is looking forward on how we prepare our team for the upcoming World Cup in three weeks’ time.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Government has allocated a total of $1.2 million for the preparation and the participation of Fiji Rugby at the 2015 Rugby World Cup which will be hosted in England from 18th September to 31st October, 2015.
The World Rugby of this year, convened the Eighth Rugby World Cup and we will be hosted by the England Rugby Union with matches played in England and Wales.

The Flying Fijians will begin their campaign with the tournament against the host England on 18th September at Twickenham Stadium, London.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, to prepare the 2015 Rugby World Cup, there were number of games and tournaments that the Flying Fijians played.
This commenced with a match against the New Zealand Maori All Blacks and the Pacific Cup match against Tonga which was hosted at the Suva ANZ Stadium.

The team then proceeded to California and Canada to play their respective remaining Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) matches against Samoa and Japan.

On completion of these pool matches, the final play offs took place on 3rd August with the Flying Fijians winning the final against Samoa.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Pacific Nations Cup is a major build-up towards the World Rugby and this win has given them a boost ahead of their first game against England in a pool that has been labelled as the “Pool of Death”.

The team after the PNC had taken a one week break before they returned to camp on 13th August, 20 days prior to departing for England for a final hit out at Canada, which is scheduled for 6th September in London; week after next.
The 31 Flying Fijians who will represent us to the 2015 Rugby World Cup has been named on 21st August will depart for the World Cup on 31st August, 2015, 28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1850 that is on Monday.

The Flying Fijians are pooled with England, Australia, Wales and Uruguay and they will have their base camp during the Rugby World Cup at Aldershot, a few miles outside of London.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, technology is very important.


In the game of this modern day and age, the coaching staff are using the sports code performance, analysis software which is a New Zealand product to monitor the performance of players.

This tool is used to analysis the player’s game and provide statistical information as part of preparation for the team to the Rugby World Cup.
It has been used to monitor players individually right from the first game against the New Zealand Maoris, the Tongans and also in California and Canada where they played against Samoa and Japan.

As I had been briefed in the last two weeks by the National Coach, Mr. John McKee, that the jersey that they are wearing for this Rugby World Cup, in order to be in par with the rest of the international teams, jerseys are fitted with GPS.
The sports code performance analysis software can detect each player’s performance during the game and will be analysed after the game; players by players.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Government has also contracted an international coach and the current Flying Fijians team will be one of the best prepared teams to leave our shores.

The tough pool play added to motivate the team to work together collectively, to the national proud of this year’s tournament.
The coaching staff has full confidence that the Flying Fijians will be a surprise package at this tournament that will be commencing with the opening match against the host nation, England on the week after next.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, that is all for that question.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, Supplementary question, honourable Draunidalo.

HON.

ROKO T.T.

DRAUNIDALO.- All that preparation will cost money and financing.
I want to ask the honourable Minister, Mr. Deputy Speaker, can he enlighten the House as to the status of the Vodafone Sponsorship Agreement with the FRU, whether that is going well and other related issues?

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, the honourable Minister for Youth and Sports.

HON.

LT.COL.

L. B. TUITUBOU.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I think, we will need statistics and we can provide that answer later on.

HON.
HON.

A.A. MAHARAJ.- Can the honourable Minister inform the House as to what are the fundraising initiatives that are in place to allow the public to show their support to the Team.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- The honourable Minister for Youth and Sports.

HON.

LT. COL. L.B.

TUITUBOU.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I must thank the honourable Member for that question.

Yes, the last one was last night.


We were the first one there and the effort used in fundraising through the Booster Club initiative which was launched by His Excellency the President of Fiji and the honourable Prime Minister and I understand that majority of the Members of the House attended, the project to raise funds by the Booster Club is $436,066.

These funds are earmarked to support the Flying Fijians Rugby World Cup Campaign.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, there are a number of cash donations by organisations to support the Team and its campaign and these are being collected and handed over to the Flying Fijians.

HON.

A. NABULIVOU.- A supplementary question; can the honourable Minister enlighten the House as to what incentives are in place for the Team if they progress past the Pool stages of the Tournament?

28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1851 MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports.

HON.

LT. COL. L.B.
HON.

LT. COL. L.B.

TUITUBOU.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, it has been presented through Cabinet and also to provide any additional costs, $350,000 if the Flying Fijians reach the Quarter Finals.

If they go beyond that, there is an extra cash that has been put aside and it will depend on the Fiji Rugby Union on how much they will submit if they go past the Pool stage, and that is already in place.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, honourable Member.

Supplementary question, honourable Ratu Suliano Matanitobua.
HON.

RATU S. MATANITOBUA.- I would like to thank the honourable Minister for his answers today.

The Rugby World Cup is just around the corner and $1.5 million has been allocated by Government to the FRU.

My question is, recently the Special Olympics just returned from USA with eight medals.

It is history, Mr. Deputy Speaker, so I would like to ask the honourable Minister; what is the budget for this Special Olympics?

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- I call upon the honourable Minister for Youth and Sports.

HON.
HON.

LT. COL. L.B.

TUITUBOU.- I provided that budget during one of the questions in Parliament this week but I can provide the honourable Member the answer to that question.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, honourable Member.

We will now move on to the sixth Oral Question and I would like to invite the honourable Jilila Kumar.

Plans for Expansion Of Early Childhood Education in Fiji (Question No.

202/2015) HON.

J.N.


KUMAR asked the Government, upon notice: Can the honourable Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts explain to the House what are the Ministry’s plans for expanding Early Childhood Education in Fiji?

HON.

DR. M. REDDY (Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts).- Mr. Deputy Speaker, if you look at Section 31 of the Constitution, it says that every person should have the right to have early childhood education.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, this was the Constitution along with the Manifesto, with our party leader, we presented to the people of Fiji that you accept this as a package deal or reject us.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, this package deal was accepted by the people of Fiji.

Thousands of copies of this Constitution were distributed to the people of Fiji.
We want to clarify this and allay the doubts in the minds of honourable Members from the other side, that thousands of copies of this pocket Constitution were distributed to the people of Fiji.

Our Manifesto and our leader were saying; “package deal, accept it or reject it.” Here we are part of that side, follow this side.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

(Laughter) Let me now answer the question.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Point of Order.

HON.

RO T.V.

KEPA.- On relevancy, Mr. Deputy Speaker.


The speech by the honourable Member must be relevant, can he please stop showing off, thank you.

28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1852 (Laughter) MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Honourable Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, the floor is yours.

HON.

DR. M. REDDY.- Honourable Deputy Speaker, prior to the announcement of the Budget last December by the honourable Minister for Finance, we had 940 Early Childhood(EC) centres registered.
Immediately after the announcement, that number increased to 1,008.

Now, we have 764 formally registered EC centres.

This is more than our primary schools which is 730.

Honourable Deputy Speaker, we have decided to give that particular EC centre a profile, like we do for our primary and secondary sections.
What we have done this year, is we have established a smaller section which we want over a four period of time, to have a section on its own but we have established a Senior Education Officer Curriculum for ECE, along with two other officers that we have, another Senior Education Officer (Administration) which used to be there and an IT Officer.
In addition to that, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we have appointed four EC Advisers in the Districts so that they will go and inspect the schools and advise one Adviser for each District.

.

We have started that this year.

Honourable Deputy Speaker, what we intend to do, we have made an announcement that we have 730 primary schools.

Out of these 730 primary schools, 322 do not have an EC centre, they have Class 1.
We announced that by 2017, we want all those primary schools to have an EC centre and we will assist them.

Honourable Deputy Speaker, that is our plan which is to recognise the important of EC centres.

It is not only about preparing them for Year One, it is also about identifying any deficiencies that they have at an early stage so that we can give them specialised attention.

We want to give that profile to ECE that never used to be before, like we used to give to primary and secondary.
Now, ECE is an important component of the overall education process.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Supplementary question, honourable Leawere.

HON.

M.R.

LEAWERE.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, cola vina.

Just a question to the honourable Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts.

He was talking about counselling and revamping the Early childhood Centres but the issue here is the implementers of this Programme.

We are talking about the teachers.


How is the honourable Minister going to incentivise or give them the salary that is due for them to carry out the task that is going to take place in the Ministry of Education?

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- I call upon the honourable Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts.

HON.

DR. M. REDDY.- Honourable Deputy Speaker, I want to thank the honourable Member for asking that supplementary question.
Those teachers are paid salaries by the Ministry, given to the EC centre which is now deposited into their accounts.

Honourable Deputy Speaker, we have received complaints that some of the managers are not passing on that particular salary to the teachers so what we are doing now, we are doing a direct deposit to the teacher’s account.

There is a misinformation, Honourable Deputy Speaker, about the quantum of salary.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, you will note that these are the work of four hours a day so it is a half day work, that is why the salary is low.

Of course, we all want to give them much higher salary, everyone wants a high salary, that will happen but over time, you cannot do it overnight.

28th Aug., 2015 Questions & Replies 1853 MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you honourable Minister, I will call upon honourable Nabulivou for your supplementary question.

HON.
HON.

A. NABULIVOU.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for Education for the progressive move in the Ministry.

I would like to ask the question to the Minister; how much money was allocated before tor the schools and how much now?

And how many schools benefitted last year and how many now?

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, the honourable Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts.

HON.

DR. M. REDDY.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for asking that question.
Last year, only 25 schools were assisted for $150,000.

This year, following approval of this year’s budget, 456 schools are benefiting to the grant of $1.4 million.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you honourable Minister, supplementary question to honourable Gavoka.

HON.

V.R.
HON.

V.R.

GAVOKA.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, that Manifesto and the Constitution, given that the deficit this year, as forecasted to be $354 million and they could not sell State assets worth $500 million and deficit exceeding about $800 million and almost a billion, can they afford all these promises they are making?

Mr. Deputy Speaker, to me that Manifesto is like a fraud on the people of Fiji.

(Chorus of interjections) HON.

OPPOSITION MEMBER.- Tell them!

HON.


DR. M. REDDY.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, that is a finance question.

I am asking the honourable Member to wait until the Budget is announced and on that day, he can ask that question to the Minister of Finance and for them to be here.

(Laughter) MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- That is the end of Oral Questions, we will now move on to the Written Questions for today.

Written Question Number of Tribunals (Question No.

203/2015) HON.
P. SINGH asked the Government, upon notice: Would the honourable Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations inform the House on the following: 1854 Suspension of Standing Orders 28th Aug., 2015 1) 2) The total number of Tribunals appointed and presently sitting in the Employment Relations Tribunals; The total number of decisions pending for each of the Tribunal and the period lapsed since the conclusion of the hearing in regards to each case in the Employment Relations Tribunal?

HON.
HON.

MAJOR-GENERAL (RET'D) J.K. KONROTE (Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations).- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I will respond to the question posed by the honourable Member in writing in due course.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, the question time is now over, I now call upon the leader of Government in Parliament.

SUSPENSION OF STANDI NG ORDERS HON.


LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PARLIAMENT.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move: That so much of Standing Order 23(1) is suspended so as to allow the House to adjourn the House for morning tea as usual and resume in 30 minutes time.

HON.

CDR.

S.T.

KOROILAVESAU.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I beg to second the motion.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- The Parliament will now vote.

Does any Member oppose the motion?

HON.


P. SINGH.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would just like to bring to your notice that in our meeting this morning discussing the motions of today and those were Members’ business, we had almost agreed with the Whips from each side, that we will miss the tea to accommodate our motions since it is the Members’ and we have a precedent, that we did in the last session.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, honourable Members, we will take a vote.

Question put.
Question put.

Votes Cast: - Ayes Noes - Not Voted - 29 12 9 Motion agreed to.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- The House will be now suspended for morning tea and we will resume after tea.

HON.

ROKO T.T.S.

DRAUNIDALO.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, we hear that we are going to tea but I just wanted to raise a Point of Order and it is Standing Order 18 where you have the powers of this House.

If there was prior agreement on various issues and one is broken, then all heads are off.
MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Honourable Members, just for your information, we will now go for 1855 Suspension of Standing Orders 28th Aug., 2015 morning tea and we will resume at 11.45 a.m.

The Parliament adjourned at 11.07. a.m. 1856 Personal Explanations 28th Aug., 2015 The Parliament resumed at 11.47 a.m. MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Honourable Members, be seated.

I thank you Hon.

Members.

We will continue from where we left off this morning.
Madam Speaker was approached by an Honourable Member, who wishes to make a personal explanation under Standing Order 80.

Madam Speaker had previously explained at length this provision, and I quote: “Personal Explanation A member may explain a matter of personal nature only with the permission of the Speaker.” The member has given a written copy of the intended personal explanation to Madam Speaker and she has allowed it.
I was also approached by another Honourable Member and have allowed a personal explanation.

Therefore, we will have two personal explanations before moving to the next item on the Order Paper.

I remind the both Members to stay within the confines of the written statement.

I will now call on Honourable Viliame Gavoka.

PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS Nadroga/Navosa Technical College HON.

V.R.
V.R.

GAVOKA.- Thank you Deputy Speaker, I just wish to clarify a report which had my name, relating to the Nadroga/Navosa Provincial High School Petition, the report by my colleague, the Honourable Viam Pillay, that I supported the setting up of the Nadroga/Navosa Technical College.
Which is true in some way, Mr. Deputy Speaker, but I also suggested a compromise, in that, there is land available in Cuvu District School, and the area called Tavuki where the Nadroga/Navosa High School is, to accommodate a Technical College.

The compromise was that, we build a Technical College in there because we know how important it is to us but keep the Nadroga/Navosa High School intact and let it continue as it is.

That Deputy Speaker is the clarification.


If I can I just say that I was proud of the Standing Committee that came down to Nadroga, the Honourable Chairman, Honourable Bhatnagar, Honourable Nath, Honourable Leawere and Honourable Vadei.

I spoke to the people in Nadroga and said, “this is your Parliament working for you.

Make use of it.” We had a wonderful time and there was great exchange of views and I was proud of my Parliament when I saw them there in my tikina in Cuvu.

Thank you Deputy Speaker.


MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, both matters are now dealt with.

Thank you.

I will not be hearing anything further on this issue.

I now call upon honourable Dr. Biman Prasad.

Misrepresentation – Fiji Sun HON.

DR. B.C.

PRASAD.- Thank you Hon.

Deputy Speaker, I rise to make a personal explanation pursuant to Standing Orders 80 and 81.

This concerns a report on page 4 of today’s Fiji Sun titled; “NFP stands under fire”.
The report by Fiji Sun Journalists, Josua Tuiwere and Litia Cava 1857 Personal Explanations 28th Aug., 2015 grossly misrepresents what was said in response by Honourable Roko Draunidalo to a statement on the security situation made by the Honourable Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration in Parliament yesterday.

As leader of the National Federation Party, I have to make this explanation because the report tried to denigrate the NFP which Fiji Sun has been habitually doing.
While it is unfortunate, the Minister took the cue from Fiji Sun ….

HON.

A. SAYED-KHAIYUM.- Hon.

Deputy Speaker, Standing Order 80 is about Personal Explanation, about a personal nature.

As Honourable Viliame Gavoka gave his personal position, so the Honourable Biman Prasad needs to say, is it under 80 or is it 81?

Because 80 is about Personal Explanation, that’s particular and personal to you.

So, if it is about a statement Hon.


Deputy Speaker, about what the President of NFP said, then it is not a personal explanation by the leader of NFP, but if he is saying that it is in response to misrepresentation, then that’s a different matter.

It states, “A member who has spoken to a question, “spoken to a question”, may speak again, at the discretion of the Speaker …”.
It is relating to a personal question and a response to that, “… to offer an explanation of some material part of his or her speech that has been misrepresented, misquoted, or misunderstood.” It is in relation to a question at that particular point in time and that is when he or she can stand up and say, “look I have been misrepresented in relation to this question.” The Member must do so immediately at the end of the speech of the Member who is alleged to have misrepresented, misquoted or misunderstood the speech.
It is in relation to another Member, it is not in relation to a media organisation so you cannot, Hon.

Deputy Speaker, with respect, allow the Member to use Standing Order 81 regarding a misquote in a media organisation.

And we need a ruling on this, Hon.

Deputy Speaker, because Standing Order 81 is to do between us and it is in relation to a question and misrepresentation.

It cannot be, that is quite clear.


80, if it is an issue to do with a personal nature for Honourable Biman Prasad, where if it is a personal nature like Honourable Gavoka did, as he said that it was in a way, he was trying to explain what happened in the Committee Report, he is elucidating that even further, that is fine.

But not the issue that Honourable Biman Prasad has just raised.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, we would like your ruling on this.
MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you Honourable Members, I will now suspend the House for 10 minutes so that we come back with a ruling.

Thank you The Parliament adjourned at 11.55 a.m. 28th Aug., 2015 Retirement Homes in Fiji 1858 The Parliament resumed at 12.00 p.m. MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, Honourable Members, I have considered the Point of Order and so as not to delay the proceedings today, I will ask the matter be referred to Madam Speaker to give her ruling at a later sitting.
I will ask the Member to resume his seat and we will move on to the next Item on the Agenda.

RETIREMENT HOMES IN FIJI HON.

V.R.

GAVOKA.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wish to move: That in view of the need to create new businesses and industries to boost the economy, this House considers the need to establish a retirement home industry in Fiji and that Government works to implement the necessary enabling infrastructure.

HON.

M.R.

LEAWERE.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I beg to second the motion.

HON.

V.R.

GAVOKA.-.


Deputy Speaker, this is a part of tourism which is the number one industry in Fiji today.

Tourism has many segments and Fiji is quite comfortable with the number of segments that it has on offer to our visitors.

Let me give you some examples, the Family Market is a segment for Fiji, the Wedding Market is a segment for Fiji, the Incentives and Conventions is a segment and Sports is a segment.

This is also a segment for tourism which is quite lucrative in many ways Deputy Speaker.
In America Deputy Speaker today are some 80,000 establishments that provide for the elderly market and the industry is about $200 billion in revenue each year, that is North America alone.

If you factor in that, the vast majority of the northern developed economies are aging.

As you know, Deputy Speaker, the Japanese, it is an aging community, much of Europe, much of America and also Australia and New Zealand.
There is a market there which are part of the baby boomers, people who were born after the Second World War, who are now retiring, who will need this kind of care.

Already, there is some policy of government about setting up this type of tourism, but it needs a lot of co-ordination with the other partners but Government must drive it Deputy Speaker.

But it needs a lot of co-ordination with the other partners.

The Government must drive it.


Mr. Deputy Speaker, these are people who will demand for a high level of medical care.

One of the reasons the elderly are not visiting Fiji today is because they are not comfortable with what we have here in terms of medical facilities.

This will help boost that, it will have to effect into the equation to round up the total range of offering, so that we can give and provide to these particular segments.
As we know, Deputy Speaker, a lot of our people are now abroad providing day care or care givers to the elderly.

In a way, in a natural part of us, because as you know, once you have that advantage of knowing, of being trained on how to care for people, this will take off very, very easily.

It will help in establishing this type of industry, and of course FNU has this in its curriculum, caring for the elderly.

To me, to us, Mr. Deputy Speaker, it is a natural fete.
It fits very nicely into what we already have in this country in terms of growing the tourism industry further.

This, Deputy Speaker, the length of stay which is always critical with tourism would be must longer.

I believe my colleague in the Ministry of Tourism may correct me, but I believe there was a length of stay today, it is about seven nights or six point something nights.

With these people, it will be months.


They will come down, take up an apartment, take up what is available on a three 1859 Adjournment 28th Aug., 2015 or four month basis and virtually guaranteeing that that occupancy will be over a long period of time.
And during our winter in the Southern Hemisphere, we will have a lot of Australians and New Zealanders coming here and when it is our summer it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it will bring in people from the Northern Hemisphere; Japan, Korea, North America and perhaps UK, Europe.

So, Deputy Speaker, it is, again I say, it is very much part of the reason today.

It is a huge market and I believe we should set this up and government has to be in the driving seat, the driver seat to make this happen.
It will mean identifying areas that are closed to the township, hospitals, areas that are near the beach, its total relaxation Deputy Speaker.

Fiji has this in abundance.

We can really do it, but again, I say, government has to drive it, and it will be done with partners.
We can bring in companies like Fijian Holdings, the church to be part of it, it is there waiting to be tapped, waiting to be developed, but it takes us the leadership of the country to see this through and factor it into a development programme going forward.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, that is an overview of what I am proposing today and I would like to hear from the other side or from my colleagues on this side on how we can move this forward.

Thank you, Deputy Speaker.


MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, Honourable Member.

The floor is now open for debate.

HON.

REAR ADMIRAL (RET’D) J.V.

BAINIMARAMA.- Thank you, Deputy Speaker.

Deputy Speaker I stand to oppose this motion.

First, I do not think the Member understands what he is trying to bring about, to tell us with regards to this motion.
Retirement homes, people who go into retirement home want tertiary care and that is we should be getting first - hospital assistance and I want to tell him that the Members on this side have got that covered.

As I have told the media lately about the comments of their President with regards to the stability of this nation.

In fact I opposed this motion, Hon.

Deputy Speaker, for another reason.

The Honourable Member does not seem to realise that all these requires stability.
In the last couple of days, that does not seem to be what he was referring to.

In fact, he was seen in Lautoka if the media pictures are correct talking to the correction officers about visiting the people that were held on sedition charges….

(Chorus of Interjections) HON.

S.D.

KARAVAKI.- When I was in Prison, you came to visit me.

HON.

REAR ADMIRAL (RET’D) J.V.

BAINIMARAMA.- And his comments was, and his comments was, and his comments was, I am here to support who ever supports SODELPA’s course.
The Honourable Member, Deputy Speaker, should be investigated by the Police for that comment alone.

He is always speaking against the Military like another speaker, another Member of the opposite of the House.

HON.

RO T.V.

KEPA.- Point of Order!

HON.

REAR ADMIRAL (RET’D) J.V.

BAINIMARAMA.- I am speaking on the motion and I have got 20 minutes.

1860 Adjournment 28th Aug., 2015 HON.

RO T.V.

KEPA.- Point of Order!

Speech must be relevant to the motion that is on the floor.

Thank you Hon.
Thank you Hon.

Deputy Speaker.

(Chorus of Interjection) MR DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you Honourable Prime Minister, the floor is yours.

HON.

S.D.

KARAVAKI.- Irrelevant!

HON.

REAR ADMIRAL (RET’D) J.V.

BAINIMARAMA.- It is most relevant, to bring about business requires stability.

Obviously, you do not understand that and I have said continuously, Deputy Speaker, that if you lie during campaign days, you will also come and lie here.
(Applause) If you do not have any constructive things to say to your people during campaign, you will not have any constructive ideas to bring about here.

Yesterday, the RFMF that brought about stability was attacked by the Opposition.

This morning, a member of the NFP attacked the Military by saying - I am talking about stability of this nation.

(Chorus of Interjections) HON.

RO T.V.

KEPA.- Standing Order 60, speech must be relevant to the motion on the floor.

Thank you.
Thank you.

(Chorus of Interjections) MR DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Point of Order.

You are on the floor, Sir.

HON.

REAR ADMIRAL (RET’D) J.V.

BAINIMARAMA.- Thank you,.

Deputy Speaker.

It is most relevant, we are talking about business, she is trying to create a business here, but I am trying to tell the Opposition that you need stability.

RFMF was continuously attacked by the Opposition yesterday.

This morning, a member of the NFP termed the RFMF as a terrorist group.
She has already come out openly to say that the RFMF had removed her stepfather.

She is trying to personalise the RFMF now.

I request that she does not do that.

If she has any problem with any particular soldier at the RFMF, go and sort it out with him.

Do not bring it to this House.

We will continue to have this from her for the rest of the Parliament days.

Please.

But what I want to say, HON.

A. SAYED-KHAIYUM – Listen, you’ll learn.

HON.

REAR ADMIRAL (RET’D) J.V.


BAINIMARAMA ..Deputy Speaker, that, we need stability in Fiji.

We are not going to get stability if we have people riling the poor, the vulnerable in our community to bring up actions that they have done in the last two months and they have been supported for that.

We have never had any comments from the other side of the House attacking what has happened in the last couple of days.

They have endorsed it.


For that reason Deputy Speaker, I oppose the motion before the House.

1861 Adjournment 28th Aug., 2015 MR DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, Honourable Member.

I call upon the Honourable Dulakiverata.

HON.

J. DULAKIVERATA.- Point of Order!

HON.

ROKO.

T.T.S.

DRAUNIDALO.- Personal Explanation.

Under Standing Order 80, the Honourable Prime Minister has just personalised the issue that I was talking about yesterday that I have talked about many times in this House.
Actually, Mr. Deputy Speaker, it was the Minister for Defence, yesterday who brought up the issue on coup culture and I was replying to that.

It just so happened, unfortunately, that the Prime Minister in 1987 was in my family, the Deputy Prime Minister in 2000 was in my family as well, and the Minister of State was also in my family in 2006.

It is just an unfortunate coincidence, but the Honourable Minister brought up coup culture, I did not personalise it at all, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
I think the Honourable Prime Minister, if you want an answer from me now, I did say that there was only one institution that was causing instability in the country.

That was my point, said with no dislike or anything for the institution, I am just making a point, as a matter of public policy, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

HON.

J. DULAKIVERATA.- Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to contribute to the motion, and from the outset, I would like to state that I support the motion.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Pacific Islanders are known for their close family ties and their association to their wider extended families.

They have very strong cultures and traditions which also include caring and looking after their elderlies.

Unfortunately, Mr. Deputy Speaker, this is slowly changing.

Young people these days turn to leave home and get their own flats or acquire their own properties after finding employment or when they get married.
The old generations, Mr. Deputy Speaker, always invest in large residential homes with anticipation that the children would continue to live with them when they grow up.

When young people leave home, Hon.

Deputy Speaker, the couples are left with a large home and a burden with the upkeep, maintenance and the remaining debt payments during their twilight years.
The trend in most overseas countries, where the retirement home industry is fully developed, most couples are faced with a similar situation have to make a decision.

Whether to continue and live in their homes and be burdened with a maintenance or sell off their properties and move to retirement homes?

The advantages of moving to retirement homes is that, they do not have to carry out maintenance to their homes.
They are surrounded by people of the same age, who would also provide companionship and also cared for medically and they live in a safe and secure environment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, retirement home is a specialised industry and is a huge business.

With a growing tourism industry in the country, a retirement home industry would yet earn to this huge potential.

We need to have the appropriate legal framework and legislation to allow this industry to flourish.
1862 Adjournment 28th Aug., 2015 Fiji is fortunate to have beautiful climate, wonderful people and good infrastructure and services.

The Fijian people are known all over the world for their warmth and caring attitude and kind nature.

These qualities are being recognised, where they work in the caregiving industry the world over.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, so the retirement home industry is developed in Fiji, all caregivers who have been working overseas can come home and with all their experiences and skills, they can help develop and contribute to this industry.

These people have contributed immensely to the local economy in terms of remittances and most of these people have been separated from their families for years because they are the only breadwinners in the family.

If they live in Fiji, they would be unemployed.


So, if the retirement industry is developed in the country, it will reduce the social problems currently facing these families and those providing caregiving overseas.

Hon.

Deputy Speaker, Sir, the legislation should be made attractive, to lure the developers and the retirees to come to Fiji and operate retirement homes.

This will contribute enormously to the economy and create much employment.
When the industry is fully developed, this will also create another segment in the property market.

Again, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I reiterate that I wholeheartedly support the motion.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you.

Honourable Attorney-General.

HON.

A. SAYED-KHAIYUM.- Hon.

Deputy Speaker, I think no one in this room would disagree that we should not have a retirement village or home segment in the tourism sector.

I think everyone agrees with that.


As the Honourable Prime Minister is highlighting, we need a couple of ingredients as critical to have retirement villages.

Most of the people would be coming to retirement villages are people at the end of their work career, they need stability and they need to feel confident they are going to an environment where they feel safe.

That is critically important, not just for retirement villages, for any business.
If we were to accept any business into Fiji, people need to know their stability – physical stability, economic stability and social stability, and indeed, financial stability is what we have already had and this is why, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we had projected growths now in excess of four per cent, and indeed actual growths in excess of four per cent, previously way back in the 1980s when we had such a sustained period of growth.
What is really critical is the Honourable Prime Minister’s highlighting, we need that stability so that we can entice these people .

Yes, I completely agree with the Honourable Dulakiverata, our people are actually very good at hospitality, indeed this is why tourism industry is flourishing.

All the surveys point out that our people are very good in the hospitality area.

We have a natural flair for it.


This is why many Fijians actually are working on the West Coast of North America, where they are providing the aged care services.

However, Hon.

Deputy Speaker, he has also highlighted that we have good infrastructure.

Of course, we can improve it, it needs to be improved, but it is a recognition of the fact that a huge amount of infrastructure works have been carried in the past eight years or so.
The roads are better, the water is better, electricity connectivity is better, communications is better, we now have much better mobile telephone connectivity where these people come and want 1863 Adjournment 28th Aug., 2015 to speak to their relatives, we are now able to have viber and what have you.

These things are all very critical.

Madam Speaker, what is also critical is full tertiary medical facilities, which we do not have in Fiji.
In the past few years, in the past few years, Hon Deputy Speaker, we had a couple of Japanese companies that came in.

But when you have a retirement village set-up or retirement homes, somebody may get a heart attack.

They need cardio-vascular surgery done on them, we do not have that available at a drop of a hat.

The Honourable Minister for Health cannot pluck out cardiologists from thin air.

Cardiologists need to be trained for about 10 to 20 years .

This is what the Government has been doing.


The scholarships schemes are built towards that, paying for doctors, more training for doctors, senior doctors to be sent overseas, that is precisely what the Ministry of Health is doing to build the Fijian capacity.

So we need all these ducks lined up so to speak before we actually have anyone come in and investing in retirement home, because they need the medical care available at a drop of a hat.
If someone needs a kidney transplant, we do not have that available.

You cannot pluck it out of thin air, you need people to be trained, you need the correct facilities.

I am happy to announce, Hon.

Deputy Speaker, that we are currently working on about three proposals by the private sector.

The Honourable Prime Minister was in India recently too, where there have been discussions in terms of facilitating full tertiary medical facilities in Fiji.
So all of these, Hon.. Deputy Speaker, need to be in place.

As a matter of principle, we all need to support the fact that the segmentation can improve.

It is not only about retirement homes, Hon.

Deputy Speaker, it is also for elective surgeries.

We have huge potential in attracting people from Australia and New Zealand for coming and carrying out elective surgeries.
But, I have also been informed, that I understand now that Medicare in Australia will also pay for elective surgeries carried out offshore, and this is all part of the work plan.

But, fundamentally, the motion is flawed because it does not take cognisance of all these issues that I have highlighted.

It talks about works to implement the enabling infrastructure.

Enabling infrastructure, Hon Deputy Speaker is having the right facilities regarding medical facilities in place.
The Honourable Dulakiverata said that we already have the infrastructure; roads, water and electricity.

We already have the hospitality - people ready.

We have people working offshore that can come and provide that.

But, the fact is, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the fundamentals need to be addressed.

The fundamentals of enticing foreign investors.

We need stability, and all of us need to be committed to that stability.
All of us need to say that, ‘when you come to Fiji you can relax,’ No one is going to form a separate state, and nor do we have people in this House supporting it, nobody in this House is supporting it because that sends a very wrong message.

The second point, Hon Deputy Speaker, is that we need to have the full medical tertiary facilities available, and the Honourable Minister for Health and his team are working on that.
The Honourable Prime Minister is already working on that, and the Honourable Minister for Tourism is already discussing with various other partners.

We have had a couple of very good feedback regarding that.

So, until such time, Hon Deputy Speaker, I oppose this motion.

Thank you very much.

1864 Adjournment 28th Aug., 2015 MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- I thank you for your contribution.

We will now invite Honourable Gavoka for his right of reply.

HON.

V.R.

GAVOKA.- Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.


We could have better dialogue than this.

It appears that a lot of work is heading in this direction.

I know Government is quite proud of what they have accomplished over the last eight years, which is the work of any government, to add to infrastructure.

Let us be very clear about that.

You have had something, and you add to it.

The way it is going, it is like Fiji was in the stone age before FijiFirst came around.

It was never like that.


But , it is good to hear that there is work happening in that direction, but the thing that is recognise that it is a critical segment of the industry, that should help create more employments, bring in more visitors and the 1 million visitors that are very elusive.

On the subject, Deputy Speaker, I love this talk of, we are going for quality tourism.

As I have said many times, the offering in Fiji is of high quality.

All our rooms are of high quality, they command high rates.
Even my tauvu from Kadavu operates some luxury boats, he charges high rates.

Everything in this country, the product in this country is of high class.

You bring in the numbers that will use those high quality products, and the receipt from tourism will grow.

That, Deputy Speaker should not be an issue.

I think we should take this on and proceed with it.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, this talk of stability.

I spent almost 30 years in tourism.

Fiji is a stable country.


What happened in 1987, if it had happened anywhere else, Fiji would have gone.

What happened in 2000, if it had happened anywhere else, it would have gone.

What happened in 2006, Fiji could have disintegrated.

There are colleagues in here who have seen it, seen it in Sudan, seen it Iraq and seen it in many parts of the world.

But Fiji, there is goodwill in this country.

We have come through instability.


We are stronger than ever, so do not let all this talk about instability take us down.

There is no instability.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Nadroga state was there from October, 2014.

That flag was flying for months.

Why did we not send a committee from Parliament to go and talk to them.

What is it?

What do they want?

Bring it back to Parliament, and we talk about what is it that they want, instead of sending the troops.

That is what people want to see.


They want to see this Parliament to be more active, to go and talk to them.

If they had come back, we would have addressed the issue, there would be no issue or talk of instability.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, I think all the talk on that side - creating instability is wrong.

All we are saying this side, we should be proactive and talk to people.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- Thank you, honourable Member.

your time is up.

I thank you for the motion.


The Parliament will now vote on honourable Gavoka’s motion.

Question put.

Votes Cast: Ayes Noes Not Voted - - - 12 30 8 1865 Adjournment 28th Aug., 2015 Motion defeated.

HON.

RO T.V.

KEPA.- Point of Order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Standing Order 60 says that speech must be relevant.
Can I just draw your attention, Mr. Deputy Speaker to the accusation made by the Honourable Prime Minister to this side of the House, that we are fond of lying, and he has been doing that for the past few years.

I would reiterate here, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that if he has any proof to his accusation, take it to the courts, and let the courts decide, and please put an end to it because you have no proof.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

ADJOURNMENT HON.


LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PARLIAMENT.- Madam Speaker, I beg to move: That Parliament is now adjourned to 9.30 a.m. on Monday14th September, 2015 for the official opening of Parliament.

HON.

CDR.

S.T.

KOROILAVESAU.- Madam Speaker, I beg to second the motion, Question put.

Motion agreed to.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER.- I thank you all, honourable Members.
The House is now adjourned to 9.30 a.m. on Monday, 14th September, 2015 for the official Opening of Parliament.

The Parliament adjourned at 12.34 p.m.