Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697734375450.pdf (Fiji)
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI _____________ MINUTES of Proceedings of Parliament at Suva on Wednesday, Twenty-fourth Day of March, 2021 1.

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

2.

Hon.

Speaker took the Chair and read the Prayer.

3.

MEMBERS PRESENT All Honourable Members were present except for the Hon.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Hon.

Osea Naiqamu, Hon.

Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and Hon.

Prof. Biman Prasad.

4.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES The Leader of the Government in Parliament the Hon.
Inia Seruiratu, moved that the Minutes of the sitting of Parliament held on Tuesday, 23 March 2021 as previously circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed.

Motion seconded.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

5.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHAIR Hon.

Speaker welcomed all Honourable Members to the sitting and all those watching the live broadcast and the live streaming of the proceedings.

Hon.
Hon.

Speaker informed all Honourable Members that the lunch break would be from 1.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. to allow his attendance at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Executive Committee virtual meeting.

1 Hon.

Speaker delivered his ruling on an urgent oral question submitted by the Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua.

6.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS OF COMMITTEES (a) Standing Committee on Economic Affairs The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs the Hon.
Vijay Nath tabled the Committee’s consolidated review report of the Tourism Fiji 2013 and 2014 Annual Reports.

The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs moved a motion without notice pursuant to Standing Order 121(5) that a debate on the content of the report is initiated at a future sitting.

The motion was seconded and agreed to unanimously.

(b) Standing Committee on Public Accounts The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts the Hon.
Alvick Maharaj tabled the Committee’s review report on the Management of Traffic Congestion.

The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts moved a motion without notice pursuant to Standing Order 121(5) that a debate on the content of the report is initiated at a future sitting.

The motion was seconded and agreed to unanimously.

7.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS (a) (b) The Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands and Mineral Resources the Hon.
Jone Usamate delivered a Ministerial Statement.

The Hon.

Aseri Radrodro and the Hon.

Pio Tikoduadua responded respectively.

The Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations, Youth and Sports the Hon.

Parveen Bala delivered a Ministerial Statement.

The Hon.

Ratu Suliano Matanitobua and the Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua responded respectively.

8.

MOTION BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts the Hon.
Alvick Maharaj moved that Parliament debates the review on Follow-Up Audit on the Management of the Land Reform Programme which was tabled on 15 May 2019.

Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

2 Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

9.

SUSPENSION MOTION BY THE LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PARLIAMENT The Leader of the Government in Parliament the Hon.
Inia Seruiratu moved under Standing Order 6 that so much of Standing Order 23(1) be suspended to allow the House to sit beyond 4.30 p.m. to complete the remaining items listed on the Order Paper.

Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

10.

MOTION BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE, LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights the Hon.
Alvick Maharaj moved that Parliament debates the Consolidated Review Report on the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2014 and 2015 which was tabled on 15 May 2019.

Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

11.

QUESTIONS 65/2021 Hon.

Joseph Nand asked the Minister for Health and Medical Services – Can the Minister update Parliament on the Ministry’s plans to provide emergency services outside the three main hospitals.

66/2021 Hon.
66/2021 Hon.

Jese Saukuru asked the Minister for Health and Medical Services – Can the Minister update Parliament on the current status of the new Ba Hospital.

3 67/2021 68/2021 69/2021 70/2021 71/2021 Hon.

Alexander O’Connor asked the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport – With the global trade being affected by the pandemic, can the Minister inform Parliament on the Ministry’s strategies to create market opportunities in new and existing markets.

Hon.
Hon.

Viliame Gavoka to ask the Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands and Mineral Resources – Can the Minister update Parliament on quality control measures used by the Fiji Roads Authority in the improvement of roads around the country.

Hon.

Selai Adimaitoga asked the Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts – Can the Minister inform Parliament on the provision of boats and outboard engines to schools and its effectiveness.

Hon.
Hon.

Lynda Tabuya asked the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development – Can the Minister update Parliament on the status of the installation of CCTV cameras around the urban centers.

Hon.

Dr Salik Govind asked the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport – Can the Minister explain how the co- operatives concept is linked with other livelihood programmes under the MSME Fiji or other Government initiatives.

Written Question 72/2021 Hon.
Mikaele Leawere asked for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations, Youth and Sports – Can the Minister update Parliament on the Ministry’s risk management measures in place with respect to the following – the Minister (a) occupational health and safety; (b) operational and human resource/succession planning; (c) fraud control and anti-corruption; (d) sexual harassment and discrimination; (e) disaster recovery, IT back up and business continuity; and (f) assessment of potential conflicts of interest.
The responses to the Oral and Supplementary Questions were given by the respective Ministers.

Hon.

Speaker allowed the Hon.

Peceli Vosanibola to ask Oral Question 68/2021.

The response to the Written Question would be tabled at a later sitting date as permitted under Standing Order 45(3).

12.

ADJOURNMENT Hon.


Speaker thanked all Honourable Members for their contributions and adjourned Parliament until Thursday, 25 March 2021 at 9.30 a.m. 4 Parliament adjourned at 7.32 p.m. Speaker of Parliament Secretary-General to Parliament 24th March, 2021 5