Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697730918368.pdf (Fiji)
STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE, LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS Report on the Adoption Bill 2018 (Bill No.

32 of 2018) PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Parliamentary Paper No.
15 of 2020 September 2020 Published and Printed by the Department of Legislature, Parliament House, SUVA TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAIRPERSON’S FOREWORD ................................................................................ 3 Committee Remit and Composition.............................................................................. 5 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 7 Background....................................................................................................................... 7 Review Procedure and Program ....................................................................................... 7 Adoption Bill 2018 (Bill No.
32 of 2018) ........................................................................ 8 2.0 COMMITTEE’S DELIBERATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE BILL ............. 8 Impact of the Bill .............................................................................................................. 8 Initial Reading of the Bill and Deliberation by the Committee ........................................ 9 Evidence via written submissions and verbal submissions received .............................. 10 Research into other jurisdictions .................................................................................... 10 Sustainable development goals impact analysis ............................................................. 12 3.0 Outcome of deliberation and review ..................................................................... 12 4.0 CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 15 APPENDIX A................................................................................................................ 17 CHAIRPERSON’S FOREWORD Adoption in Fiji is regulated by a piece of legislation that is more than 50 years old.
Current practices and circumstances regarding adoption has made the current adoption law - the Adoption of Infants Act 1944, outdated and inadequate.

Thus an opportunity to better the current system has been realised by the Government of Fiji, and the result of which, is the Adoption Bill 2018.

The Bill is the outcome of the review of the adoption law by the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation with the assistance of the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
Some of the main areas that the current Act lacked coverage on, were:   the finer details of the adoption processes, apart from the court process; and other vital aspects pertaining to adoption such as intercountry adoption; The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights by this August House for review and scrutiny.
This Report will cover the Standing Committees’ role in reviewing the Adoption Bill to ensure that all due processes regarding the Bill has been followed and to also ensure that the provisions contained in the Bill would contribute to the achievement of the Bill’s objectives.
Some of the pertinent areas which the Bill addresses are as follows:        that the best interests of the child concerned, both in childhood and later life, is made the paramount consideration in adoption law and practice; that adoption is to be regarded as a service for the child concerned; that children are protected and nurtured by providing safe, supportive family relationships intended to last a lifetime; that efficient and accountable practice in the delivery of adoption services is promoted; that an ‘Approved Adoptive Parents Register’ is kept by the Department responsible for Social Welfare; that the adoption law does not affect the child’s birth right to any entitlement to communal ownership of land, communal access to marine resources and chiefly title; and that the adoption law and practice complies with Fiji’s obligations under international conventions and other international agreements on adoption.
Apart from its own deliberation on the Bill, the Standing Committee conducted a public consultation whereby numerous submissions were received from the public.

The Committee through the Parliament Secretariat and Research Unit also looked at other jurisdictions that have similar set ups to that which Fiji is aiming for, by the introduction of the Bill.

The Committee in its deliberation also consulted the initiating Ministry and also the drafters of the Bill for certain amendments.
Amendments were made to various Sections and Subsections of the Bill and the amendments which were necessary have been made and marked in red in the copies of the Bill provided with this report.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the Honourable Members of the Justice, Law and Human Rights Committee, Hon.

Rohit Sharma, Hon.

Dr Salik Govind, Hon.

Ratu Suliano Matanitobua and Hon.


Mosese Bulitavu for their deliberations and input, the alternate members who made themselves available when the substantive members could not attend, the secretariat, the public and entities who accepted the invitation of the Committee and made themselves available to make submissions and for taking an interest in the proceedings of the Committee and Parliament.
I, on behalf of the Committee commend the Adoption Bill 2018 to the Parliament, with certain amendments and seek support of all the members of this August house for the Bill since it is designed to have a positive impact on the lives of children that are subject to the adoption system in Fiji.

Hon.
Hon.

Alvick Avhikrit Maharaj Chairperson COMMITTEE REMIT AND COMPOSITION The Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights was established under Standing Order 109 of the Standing Orders of Parliament and is mandated to, among other things as prescribed in Standing Order 110 to examine each Bill referred to the committee by Parliament, and make amendments to the Bills, to the extent agreed by the committee and examine any subordinate legislation tabled in Parliament within its category of affairs.
The Committee is made up of both the Government and Opposition Members, pursuant to Standing Order 115.

Members of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, 2018-2022 Parliamentary Term, are as follows: Hon.

Rohit Sharma (Deputy Chairperson)  Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights  Deputy Government Whip Hon.
Alvick Avhikrit Maharaj (Chairperson)  Assistant Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industry Relations, Youth and Sports  Chairperson of Public Accounts Committee  Government Whip  Registered Pharmacist Hon.

Ratu Suliano Matanitobua (Member)  Shadow Minister for Youth and Sports  Former State Minister of Fijian Affairs  Former Military Territorial Officer Hon.
Dr. Salik Govind (Member)  Public Health Specialist – United Nations (World Health Organisation)  Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee Hon.
Mosese Bulitavu (Member)  Shadow Minister for Defence, National Security, Immigration and Correction Services  Former Opposition Whip  Business Consultant/Farmer  Territorial Military Officer – Republic of Fiji Military Forces  Law Graduate and Researcher During the duration of the deliberation on the Bill, the following Hon.

Members assisted the Committee as alternate members, pursuant to Standing Order 115 (5): i. Hon.

Niko Nawaikula (Alternate Member for Hon.

Ratu Suliano Matanitobua); and ii.


Hon.

Tevita Navurevure (Alternate Member for Hon.

Mosese Bulitavu).

Committee Secretariat Team Supporting the Committee in its work is a group of dedicated Parliament Officers who make-up the Committee Secretariat, and are appointed and delegated by the Secretary- General to Parliament pursuant to Standing Order 15 (3)(i).
The Secretariat team is made of the following Parliament officers:  Mr. Ira Komaisavai – Senior Committee Clerk  Mr. Jackson Cakacaka – Deputy Committee Clerk  Ms. Darolin Vinisha – Committee Assistant 1.0 INTRODUCTION Background The Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, was referred the Adoption Bill 2018 for review on 30 November 2018.
The Bill was referred to the Committee pursuant to Parliament Standing Order 85(4)(a), whereby the Committee was tasked with scrutinising the Bill and to report back in a subsequent Parliament Sitting.

Review Procedure and Program The Committee read through the Bill and did its own deliberation of the Clauses in the Bill.
The Committee called for submissions from the public and other interested stakeholders by placing advertisements through the local newspapers (Fiji Times and Fiji Sun) on February 16 and March 1 2019.

The Committee also invited certain entities to make submissions on the Bill.

Details of the Committees deliberations on the submissions received are provided in this Report.
It is also appropriate to highlight the tremendous work that the previous Justice, Law and Human Rights Committee had undertaken when it reviewed a similar piece of legislation that was introduced in the last Parliament.

This work by the previous Committee had laid the foundation for the current Committee in its review process.
The Committee was mindful of the provisions in Standing Order 111(1)(a) and ensured that its meetings were open to the public and the media, except during such deliberations and discussions to develop and finalise the Committee’s observations and this Report.

As part of its deliberation, the Committee received numerous submissions on the Bill from relevant stakeholders, on various dates falling between and including 24 February 2019, 9 March 2019 and 26 January 2020 to 30 January 2020.
Organisations and individuals that made submissions are listed in Appendix A.

The Committee would like to extend its gratitude to all who participated and provided essential contribution to the Committee’s work.

The submissions of the above-mentioned organisations are summarised and provided in this Report.

Copies of written submissions received can be found on the Parliament website: www.parliament.gov.fj.
The Committee was mindful of the provisions in Standing Order 111(1)(a) and ensured that its meetings were open to the public and the media, except during deliberations and discussions to develop and finalise the Committee’s observations.

7 Adoption Bill 2018 (Bill No.

32 of 2018) The Adoption Bill 2018 is the result of the review of the Adoption of Infants Act (Cap.
58), hereinafter referred to as the Act, by the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation (referred to in this Report as the initiating Ministry) with the assistance of the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, commonly known as UNICEF.

The Act was enacted in 1944 and regulates all matters pertaining to adoption1.

However, the Act is outdated and does not comprehensively cater for the changing nature of adoption such as the shift to intercountry adoption2.
As a law that is earmarked to cater for adoption in Fiji, it would be prudent to highlight the objectives of the Bill, which is clearly set out in Clause 3 of the Bill and these are to: (a) emphasise that the best interests of the child concerned, both in childhood and later life, must be the paramount consideration in adoption law and practice; (b) ensure that adoption is to be regarded as a service for the child concerned; (c) protect and nurture children by providing safe, supportive family relationships intended to last a lifetime; (d) recognise the changing nature of the practice of adoption; (e) promote efficient and accountable practice in the delivery of adoption services; (f) ensure that adoption law and practice assist a child to know and have access to his or her birth family and cultural heritage; and (g) ensure that adoption law and practice complies with Fiji’s obligations under international conventions and other international agreements on adoption3.
2.0 COMMITTEE’S DELIBERATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE BILL Impact of the Bill The Committee noted that the Bill will effectively bring laws of Fiji relating to adoption up to date and repeal the current Act (Adoption of Infants Act (Cap.

58)).

Being a law that will bring the laws relating to adoption up to date, this would mean that certain areas in the adoption system that had gaps would be filled.

Main areas that would be addressed are: 1 Explanatory Note to the Adoption Bill 2018.

2 Ibid 2.
2 Ibid 2.

3Clause 3, Adoption Bill 2018 (Bill No.

32 of 2018).

8  the expansion of the law to cover vital areas of processes for adoption such as screening of prospective parents;  expanding the law to cater for current adoption matters such as inter-country adoption; and  aligning the Fiji adoption law with the Convention on Protection of Children thus ensuring Fiji’s commitment to international obligations.
Initial Reading of the Bill and Deliberation by the Committee The Committee began its analysis of the Bill by reading through the Bill Clause by Clause and noting numerous issues.

Some of the main issues noted were:  Issue with provisions relating to the residency requirement of a prospective adoptive parents.

These provisions (Clauses 9, 37 and 38) prescribes strict requirements for prospective adoptive parents to meet, which may be problematic to potential adoptive parents that reside overseas.
 Issue with clause 30 (1) (a) concerning the rights of an adopted child.

The Committee noted that the wording of Clause 30 allows a broad interpretation of the Clause.

There is concern that this broad interpretation could give way to numerous interpretations that could be problematic in the future and should be carefully considered before the Bill becomes law.
 Issue with clause 38; the Committee noted that this clause provides for the adoption of children from Fiji by persons who are habitually resident in a non-convention country.

This provision could pose a possible risk to children, as it makes them vulnerable to dangerous circumstances such as human (child) trafficking.

Thus this was another Clause that the Committee felt it needed to carefully consider before the Bill becomes law.
 Issue with the adoption process specifically with regard to the welfare of an adopted child, who has been adopted by a person or couple outside of Fiji.

There should be a mechanism for monitoring a child’s welfare, after the child has been adopted.

The Committee agreed that these issues needed clarification, thus questions and suggestions were formulated and then sent to the Office of the Solicitor General for legal clarification.
The Office of Solicitor General, who are the drafters of the Bill, responded and advised the Committee accordingly.

The response from the Office of the Solicitor General was deliberated on and this assisted the Committee in its deliberation of the Bill.
9 Evidence via written submissions and verbal submissions received As part of the deliberation and review, the Committee conducted a public consultation on the Bill, whereby key stakeholders including the public were given an opportunity to provide their views on the Bill.

All submissions received were noted and given due consideration.

Some of the main points and issues noted from the submissions are summarised as follows.
To begin with, there were submissions received that mirrored the Committee’s concern on the residency requirement prescribed by the Bill.

There were concerns that the residency requirement of prospective adoptive parents would hinder the chances of good potential adoptive parents from being able to adopt a child from Fiji.

This was an issue that was relayed to the Committee by numerous submitters noting that even with the current procedures, their efforts to adopt have been met with stressful hurdles.
Some have had to leave their lucrative jobs or sacrifice more than they were comfortable with, just to be able to adopt a child from Fiji.

On the other-hand, there were also submissions that noted that the strict requirements, such as the residency requirement for prospective adoptive parents, is a vital aspect for the adoption law, which ensures that the safety and best interest of the child is preserved and prioritised.
There were also submissions received that highlighted the issue pertaining to potential wide interpretation of the Bill, specifically on the interpretation of the rights provided to the adopted child.

There were concerns that the interpretation of certain provisions of the Bill, could lead to infringements of cultural and traditional rights and customs, which are preserved for the i’Taukei populace, the Rotuman populace and the Kiribati populace.
Submissions received also noted that the current wording of the Bill was somewhat discriminatory towards de facto couples by prescribing a disqualification, which required that couples needed to be married for at least 2 consecutive years.

This affects the chances of potential suitable adoptive parents, especially de facto couples, from being able to adopt.
Furthermore, there were also submissions regarding other aspects of the adoption regime specifically that concerning the potential disqualification of prospective adoptive parents who are in same-sex relationships, especially given that the proposed law will cater for intercountry adoption, thus taking into considerations that there are prospective adoptive parents that fall under the mentioned category.

Copies of the submission documents can be accessed from the Parliament website: www.parliament.gov.fj.
Research into other jurisdictions The Committee noted that the Bill would greatly impact children that are in the adoption system, thus resolved that it would also be practical and beneficial to look into other jurisdictions with similar legislation.

Unfortunately the Committee did not have 10 the opportunity to visit the following mentioned countries, thus relied on research based evidence for this part of its deliberation.
The Committee compared the Bill to adoption legislation of a few Commonwealth countries; Australia (Victoria and New South Wales), Canada (British Columbia), New Zealand, Samoa, the United Kingdom.

The focus of the comparison was on the objectives of the pieces of legislation and a few of the key issues identified from the review.

The following is a summary of the legislation comparison.
In regard to the objectives of the adoption law, it was noted that generally, the objectives of adoption legislation of other jurisdictions were focused on the best interest of the child.
In New South Wales (Australia), the Adoption Act 2000 had similar objectives to that of the Adoption Bill and these were:  that best interest of the child concerned, both in childhood and later life, be paramount consideration in adoption law and practice; that it is clear that adoption is to be regarded as a service for the child concerned; that adoption law and practice assists a child in knowing and having access to his or her birth family and cultural heritage; that changing nature and practices of adoption should also be recognised; and that the adoption laws and practice complies with Australia’s obligations under treaties and other international agreements;     In New Zealand, the objectives of the Adoption (Intercountry) Act 1997 were as follows:   to enhance the rights and wellbeing of children affected by adoption; to introduce laws which will reflect current social attitudes and values and which will accord with national and international human rights standards; and to ensure the reduction of the risk of sale, trafficking and inhumane treatment of children in intercountry adoption.
 For other key issues such as residency requirement of prospective adoptive parents; de facto couples being able to adopt; and same sex couples being able to adopt; the Committee took careful consideration when analysing similar provisions in other jurisdictions.
In regard to the residency requirement, in a few of the jurisdictions looked at by the Committee, specifically Victoria (Australia), ACT (Australia), New Zealand and Samoa, it was identified that there was no residency requirement in their respective adoption laws4.
However, there were a few conditions that were attached to the adoption provisions, which include being present in the country once an adoption order is made5; attainment of a prescribed age and preference being given to adoption according to adoptive parents’ gender correlating with the adopted child’s gender6.

4 Section 69A – Victoria - Adoption Act 1984; Section 57 – ACT Adoption Act 1993; Sections 3 and 4 – NZ – Adoption (Intercounrty) Act 1997; Section 7 – Samoa - Infants Ordinance 1961.
5 Section 57 - ACT Adoption Act 1993.

6 Sections 3 and 4 – NZ – Adoption (Intercounrty) Act 1997.

11 Other jurisdictions, such as New South Wales (Australia), British Columbia (Canada) and the United Kingdom, specify that prospective adoptive parents need to be residents or domiciled in the country before they are able to apply for adoption7.
For the issue of de facto couples being able to adopt, it was noted from all of the jurisdictions looked at by the Committee that there is a growing trend for the recognition of de facto couples being able to apply for adoption8.

There was also deliberation on the issue of the adoption by same sex couples; and it was noted from the jurisdictions looked at by the Committee that there were differing approaches taken.
In a few of these jurisdictions, such as New South Wales and Victoria (Australia), the approach was similar to that of Fiji; that same sex couples are not covered, thus cannot adopt.

In the other jurisdictions, including ACT (Australia), New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Samoa and British Columbia (Canada)9.
From this deliberation it was noted that the Bill is quite rounded and covers the pertinent objectives expected of an adoption law and follows certain trends and approaches followed by other jurisdictions.

Sustainable development goals impact analysis Additionally as part of its deliberation the Committee appreciates its role in keeping track of Fiji’s efforts towards the sustainable development goals and the national development plans.
Thus, the Committee noted that the Bill aims to strengthen the existing processes and institutions that cater for adoption of children.

This is linked to the efforts towards achieving the global agenda of strengthening institutions.

Additionally, Fiji’s development plan consists of goals that aim to provide for the best interest of children, thus, this Bill could be viewed as a positive step towards ensuring that Fiji meets this target and in turn also ensure the welfare of children in Fiji.
The Committee also took into account the provisions of Standing Order 110(2), where a committee conducts an activity listed in clause (1), the committee shall ensure that full consideration will be given to the principle of gender equality so as to ensure all matters are considered with regard to the impact and benefit on both men and women equally.
The Committee believes that the Bill’s objectives applies equally to both men and women, with its main aim of ensuring the welfare of children in the adoption system.

3.0 OUTCOME OF DELIBERATION AND REVIEW The following is the outcome of the Committee’s extensive deliberation.
After deliberation, the Committee noted the following issues which were then considered with the assistance of the initiating Ministry and the drafting team and its 7 Section 26-28 – NSW – Adoption Act 2000; Section 49 – UK – Adoption and Children Act 2002; Section 29(3) - Adoption Act - Chapter 5 of the Revised Statutes of British Columbia, 1996.
8 NSW – Adoption Act 2000; Adoption Act - Chapter 5 of the Revised Statutes of British Columbia, 1996; Victoria - Adoption Act 1984; ACT Adoption Act 1993; NZ – Adoption (Intercounrty) Act 1997; Samoa - Infants Ordinance 1961; UK – Adoption and Children Act 2002.

9 Section 29 - Adoption Act - Chapter 5 of the Revised Statutes of British Columbia, 1996.

12 consultant from UNICEF.

This ensured that all relevant issues raised before the Committee were appropriately addressed.
In regard to the issue of residency requirement of a prospective adoptive parents; the Committee believes that the best interest of the child is and should be considered paramount.

Children safety and welfare should be not be jeopardised or sacrificed especially when dealing with children that may be adopted by prospective adoptive parents that live overseas.
In regard to the issue of de facto couples being able to adopt; the Committee believes that the provisions of the Bill needs to be amended to allow such prospective parents to be able to adopt.

A suggested amendment is inserted in the provision relating to who can adopt.

Furthermore, in regard to the issue of same sex couple being able to adopt, the Committee believes that the current social makeup and climate in Fiji, it would be prudent that such issues be considered very carefully.
Any such drastic changes to the social climate in Fiji, should be taken very carefully, considering all actors and factors that play a role in influencing the social makeup of Fiji’s societies.

Therefore, it would be premature for the Committee to decide on this issue, and thus, believes the Bill should remain as it is.
For the issue regarding potential interpretation concerns that may infringe on traditional rights and customs, the Committee believes that this is indeed a valid concern, but feels that the provisions of the Bill is solely for the purpose of adoption of children and would not be ultra vires in its application.
The Committee also acknowledges that there are existing mechanisms in place that deal with traditional rights and customs and that the Bill in its current form, does not go beyond its objectives and the perimeters envisaged for the Bill to capture.
In regard the issue concerning the adoption of children from Fiji by persons who are habitually resident in a non-convention country; the Committee believes that the provisions of the Bill are adequate in providing a protective measure to the potential risks concerns that had been raised.

The provisions of the Bill assimilates the provisions of the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation In Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
Thus, this means that the measures prescribed are designed to address risks associated with intercountry adoption.

In regard to the issue concerning the welfare of an adopted child, who has been adopted by a person or couple outside of Fiji, the Committee is adamant that there should be a mechanism for monitoring a child’s welfare, after the child has been adopted overseas.

This would ensure that ensure that the child’s best interest is preserved.
Therefore the Committee recommends that the Bill be amended to include a provision, which ensures post adoption monitoring via a requirement for adoptive parents to provide post- adoption reports.

A suggested amendment is inserted into the Bill as Clause 44, and titled “Post adoption reports”.

Additionally, the Committee feels that there is a need to ensure that a child does not fall victim to being left marginalised or being abandoned due to procedural issues when being adopted overseas.
The welfare of a child being adopted overseas, should be taken seriously, therefore, the Committee also recommends that a provision be added that 13 requires and ensures that an adopted child will be granted and guaranteed the right of residence in the applicant’s or adopted parents’ country.

A suggested amendment is inserted into the provisions relating to intercountry adoption.
Below is a tabulated format of the notable amendments made to the Bill: CLAUSE Clause 9(3) RATIONALE This would remove the which disqualification, had existed in the initial wording of the Bill.
CLAUSE/ NEW AMENDMET Amend the provision by inserting the following words into Clause 9(3), after the word “married” and before the word “for”; “…or have been together…” living Clause 37 and Clause 38 Amend the provision by inserting the following words into Clause 37(7); “ … the child will be permitted to enter and reside permanently in the applicant’s country of residence; and…” New Clause to be inserted into the Bill as Clause 44, which is as follows: “ … Post adoption reports 44.—(1) An adoption order under sections 38 and 39 must require the applicants to adoption provide post the reports, prepared by the in adoption authority country and submitted to the Permanent Secretary, within 6 months of the adoption order, and thereafter annually for a period of 3 years.
concerned (2) A post adoption report must contain a description of that The amendment would ensure the child adopted overseas will not being fall victim abandoned, once they are adopted and leave Fiji for parents’ the country.

adoptive to The amendment would ensure that the welfare of a child adopted overseas is preserved, by having a monitoring mechanism.
14 and family how the child and family are adjusting, whether bonding and attachment between the are child sufficient, whether the child’s health and emotional needs the are being met, what family is doing to encourage the child’s cultural heritage and any other pertinent information about the status and well-being of the child.” Other parts of the Bill Other necessary amendments were made to the Bill, which were grammatical corrections in nature or a consequence of the notable amendments made.
4.0 CONCLUSION After adhering to due process and the requirements of the Standing Orders of Parliament, the Committee in its deliberation and review noted that there was great support for the Bill.

The review highlighted the numerous issues on the Bill, which were considered extensively by the Committee through consultations with the initiating Ministry, the public and the drafters of the Bill so as to address all the issues raised and to ensure the objectives of the Bill are not preserved.
Certain amendments were made as a result of the Committees deliberations and those amendments are reflected in red in the amended copy of the Bill presented with this report.

The Committee through this report commends the Adoption Bill 2018 (Bill No.

32 of 2018) to the Parliament.

15 MEMBERS SIGNATURES OF ENDORSEMENT: ……………………… ……………………… HON.

ROHIT SHARMA HON.

RATU SULIANO (DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON) MATANITOBUA (MEMBER) …………………….. ……………………… HON.

DR. SALIK GOVIND HON.


MOSESE BULITAVU (MEMBER) (MEMBER) DATE: 31/08/2020 16 APPENDIX A Names or organisations and individuals that submitted on the Bill Name Ministry of i’Taukei Affairs - and i’Taukei Lands Fisheries Commission UNICEF Fiji Law Society Ministry Children Alleviation of Women, Poverty and Position - Location of consultation meeting Big Committee Room, Complex, Suva.

Parliament - - - Big Committee Room, Complex, Suva.

Big Committee Room, Complex, Suva.

Big Committee Room, Complex, Suva.


Parliament Parliament Parliament Individuals that submitted on the Adoption Bill 2018 Western Division Name Sex Position (optional) Male - Location of consultation meeting Namosi Provincial Council Meeting Hall, Navua Female Mata ni Tikina Marama/Veivatuloa Namosi Provincial Council Meeting Hall, Navua 1) Mr. Samisoni Tuilawaki 2) Ms. Koleta Sivivatu 3) Mr.
Male Dhirendra Chand Advisory Counsellor Navua Namosi Provincial Council Meeting Hall, Navua 4) Mr. Tuiverata Vunitabua Male Youth Representative – Veivatuloa Namosi Provincial Council Meeting Hall, Navua 5) Mr. Shalen Kumar 6) Dr. Nalini Sharma 7) Ms. Renee Billings Male Pastor Female Female 8) Ms. Ulamila Kaisau 9) Ms. Salome Pareti Female Treasure Official Female Treasure Official 10) Dr. Bipin Ram Male - - - Home Home and of Rural Ministry Maritime Office, Sigatoka Ministry Maritime Office, Sigatoka Nadi Town Council Mayoral Chambers, Nadi of Rural and Nadi Town Council Mayoral Chambers, Nadi Nadi Town Council Mayoral Chambers, Nadi Lautoka Chambers, Lautoka Council City 11) Mr. Pusp Raj Male Retired CEO, Lautoka City Council 17 12) Ms. Zarina Bi Female Soroptimist Lautoka City Council Chambers, Lautoka International (NGO) - City Lautoka Chambers, Lautoka Lautoka Chambers, Lautoka City Council Council Female - - Civic Centre, Ba Female Soroptimist Civic Centre, Ba International (NGO) Female Soroptimist Civic Centre, Ba 13) Mr. Ratnesh Male Raj 14) Ms. Sangeeta Female Raj 15) Ms. Tavaita Navara 16) Ms. Veena Sharma 17) Ms. Caroline Thoman 18) Mr Hazrat Ali Male 19) Mr. Rakesh Sharma NORTHERN DIVISION 20) Mr. Josevata Male Caucau 21) Ms. Akisi Vinaka 22) Ms.
Mere Caucau 23) Ms. Christine Female Female Female Atalifo 24) Ms. Ranadiniceva Raluna 25) Mr. Solomone Catarogo 26) Mr. Naren Chand 27) Ms. Asena Vunimakosoi 28) Mrs.
Mere Tuiyaro 29) Mr. Ruveni Tuiyaro 30) Mr. Viliame Sogari 31) Mr. Yunuf Khan Female Male Male Female Female Male Male Male 32) Mr. Usaia Vuki Male 33) Mr. Lalesh Vishwa 34) Mr. Vijay Male Male International (NGO) Advisory Counsellor - Rakiraki - Rakiraki Conference Room, Rakiraki Police Station - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nadogo Central College Hall, Nadogo Nadogo Central College Hall, Nadogo Nadogo Central College Hall, Nadogo Nadogo Central College Hall, Nadogo Nadogo Central College Hall, Nadogo Nadogo Central College Hall, Nadogo Nadogo Central College Hall, Nadogo Daku Primary School Hall, Daku, Labasa Daku Primary School Hall, Daku, Labasa Daku Primary School Hall, Daku, Labasa Daku Primary School Hall, Daku, Labasa Daku Primary School Hall, Daku, Labasa Daku Primary School Hall, Daku, Labasa Daku Primary School Hall, Daku, Labasa Daku Primary School Hall, 18 Chand Vishwa 35) Mr. Maika Nakete Male Turaga ni Yavusa, Namana, Macuata 36) Mr. Maika Tui Male 37) Mr. Mua Varea Male 38) Mr. Peni Taloga 39) Mr. Iliesa Nakete 40) Ms. Sera Nayacalevu 41) Mr. Viliame Bulilevu 42) Mr. Mosese Bobi 43) Mr. Filimoni Naiqumu 44) Mr. Deo Narayan 45) Mr. Sushil Maharaj 46) Mr. Gyan Prakash 47) Mr. Mahesh Chand Male Male Female Male Male Male Male Male Male Male 48) Mr. John Cox Male 49) Mr. Mohammed Janif 50) Mr. Ovini Baleinamau 51) Ms. Vane Rabeka 52) Mr. Mohammed Farook Male Male Female Male 53) Ms. Kirisitiana Female Ratu 54) Mr. Selemo Male Drokamaisau 55) Ms. Sujata Singh Female - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Council Council Daku, Labasa Labasa Town Chambers, Labasa Town Labasa Chambers, Labasa Labasa Town Chambers, Labasa Labasa Town Chambers, Labasa Seaqaqa Police Bure, Seaqaqa Council Council Seaqaqa Police Bure, Seaqaqa Seaqaqa Police Bure, Seaqaqa School, Primary Provincial Office, Provincial Office, Savusavu Administrative Savusavu Savusavu Administrative Savusavu Dreketi Macuata Dreketi Macuata Dreketi Macuata Dreketi Macuata Dreketi Macuata Lekutu Government Station, Bua Primary Primary Primary Primary School, School, School, School, Lekutu Government Station, Bua Lekutu Government Station, Bua Lekutu Government Station, Bua Naulumatua House, Bua Provincial Office, Nabouwalu, Bua Naulumatua House, Bua Provincial Office, Nabouwalu, Bua Naulumatua House, Bua Provincial Office, Nabouwalu, 19 56) Ratu Semi Ramatai Male - Bua Naulumatua House, Bua Provincial Office, Nabouwalu, Bua 20