Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694861958937.pdf (Fiji)
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI _____________ MINUTES of Proceedings of Parliament at Suva on Wednesday, Twenty-seventh Day of May, 2020 1.

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

2.

Hon.

Speaker took the Chair and read the Prayer.

3.

MEMBERS PRESENT All the Government and NFP Honourable Members were present.

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, 26 May 2020 as previously circulated, be taken as read and be confirmed.

Motion seconded.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

5.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHAIR Hon.

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

6.

PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND CERTAIN DOCUMENTS The Hon.
Speaker informed Honourable Members that there were no papers for presentation.

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

Alexander O’Connor tabled the Committee’s Review Report on the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017.
The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence moved a motion without notice pursuant to Standing Order 121(5) that a debate on the content of the report is initiated at a future sitting.

The motion was seconded and agreed to unanimously.

(b) Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights the Hon.

Alvick Maharaj tabled the Committee’s Report on the Fijian Electoral Commission Annual Report 2016.
The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights moved a motion without notice pursuant to Standing Order 121(5) that a debate on the content of the report is initiated at a future sitting.

The motion was seconded and agreed to unanimously.

(c) 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 Performance Audit Report on the Coordination of Actions on Elimination of Violence Against Women.

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.

8.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS (a) (b) (c) The Minister for Forestry the Hon.
Osea Naiqamu delivered a Ministerial Statement.

The Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua subsequently responded.

The Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment the Hon.

Dr Mahendra Reddy delivered a Ministerial Statement.

The Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua subsequently responded.

The Minister for Health and Medical Services the Hon.

Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete delivered a Ministerial Statement.

The Hon.

Pio Tikoduadua subsequently responded.

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CONSIDERATION OF BILLS The Hon.


Speaker informed Honourable Members that there were no Bills for consideration.

10.

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

Viam Pillay moved that Parliament debates the Report on Annual Review of the Fiji National University, 2017 which was tabled on 1 April 2019.

Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

11.


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

Vijay Nath moved that Parliament debates the Pacific Fishing Company Limited 2017 Annual Report which was tabled on 3 April 2019.

Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

12.

QUESTIONS 76/2020 77/2020 Hon.


Lenora Qereqeretabua to ask the Minister for Health and Medical Services – Can the Minister inform Parliament how long it took to get the air-conditioning units at CWM Hospital operation theatres fully repaired since patients due for surgeries were turned away at least 4 times in December until mid-January this year.

Hon.
Hon.

Dr Salik Govind to ask the Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management – Can the Minister explain Government’s coordination of assistance from International partners and donors for tropical cyclone Harold.

3 78/2020 79/2020 80/2020 Hon.


Vijendra Prakash to ask the Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands and Mineral Resources – With Geospatial technologies becoming more its recognised as a tool for substantial development, can the Minister update Parliament on how did the Ministry contribute towards the COVID-19 pandemic and tropical cyclone Harold.

Information and Hon.


Alexander O’Connor to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment – Can the Minister update Parliament on what plans the Ministry has to introduce the use of organic fertiliser by farmers.

Hon.

Rohit Sharma to ask the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service and Communications – Can the Minister update Parliament on the travel bubble with Australia and New Zealand.
Responses to the Oral and Supplementary Questions were given by the respective Ministers.

The Hon.

Speaker called on the Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua to ask Oral Question 53/2020 which had been listed on the Order Paper for Monday, 25 May 2020.

The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts the Hon.

Rosy Akbar responded accordingly.

13.

ADJOURNMENT Hon.


Speaker thanked all Honourable Members and adjourned Parliament until Thursday, 28 May 2020 at 9.30 a.m. Parliament adjourned at 4.00 p.m. Speaker of Parliament Secretary-General to Parliament 27th May, 2020.

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