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____________________________________________ STANDING COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Parliamentary Paper No.
19 of 2020 May 2020 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Published and Printed by the Department of Legislature, Parliament House, SUVA Table of Contents Chairperson’s Foreword .......................................................................................................... 3 Acronyms ................................................................................................................................... 5 Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 6 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 1.2 1.3 Background and Terms of Reference ...................................................................................... 7 Committee Remit and Composition ........................................................................................ 7 Procedure and Program ........................................................................................................... 7 2.0 Committee Deliberation and Analysis ......................................................................... 8 2.1 2.2 Committee Findings ................................................................................................................ 8 Oral and Written Evidence Received ...................................................................................... 9 3.0 Gender Analysis ............................................................................................................. 9 4.0 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 10 5.0 Members’ Signature .................................................................................................... 11 6.0 Appendices ................................................................................................................... 12 2 | P a g e Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017 Chairperson’s Foreword I am pleased to present the Review Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence (FAD) on the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017.
The purpose of the review was to scrutinise the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report specifically on the Ministry’s operations and administration.

The Committee recognises the essential oversight role of the Ministry of Defence in the security, defence and well-being of the nation and our people.

Therefore, the Ministry should be seen to be the leading agency for the issuance of policy guidance to shape the functions of all government departments under its umbrella.
Through the briefings of the Permanent Secretary of Defence and National Security, Department of Immigration Senior Officials and Senior Officers from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police Force, the Committee was informed that the Ministry was undergoing extensive reform to ensure effectiveness of its role under the current legal frameworks.
In particular, the Committee was aware that the Ministry under the proposed reform will be guided by the National Security Strategy and Good Governance Frameworks.

The challenges faced by globalisation and its transnational effects have posed additional threats to the nation and as such the Ministry of Defence needs to strengthen its efforts in dealing with such challenges i.e.

climate change, illicit drugs and transnational crimes.
The Committee after reviewing the report identified pertinent issues confronting the Ministry of Defence today.

Some of the issues are identified below and were witnessed during the live stream submissions in the Parliament Precincts on Monday 2nd March 2020: 1.

The Committee is aware of vast amount of acting positions for senior officers for the above reporting period.

2.
2.

On the issue of Critical Asset Protection the Committee is concerned that there is little or no security policy, standard operating procedures and physical hardening of critical asset installations.

Especially WAF Reservoirs, Catchments, Water and Sewerage Installations.

3.

The Committee noted that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) have not tabled an Annual Report in Parliament.

4.
4.

The Committee notes that the Ministry strengthens its commitments to progressing the Sustainable Development Goals in particular SDG 5 on Gender Equality by aligning them to the National Development Plan (NDP).

3 | P a g e Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017 5.
The Independent Auditors Report highlighted the variance of $3,006,088 on the Integrated Border Control Management System (IBMS) which records the Department of Immigrations operating revenue and the FMIS General Ledger.

6.

That detailed listings of work permit holders equating to the security bond of $25,215,349:00 held from relevant stakeholders be provided for scrutiny.

The Committee commends the good work of the organisation and achievements in the reporting period 2016-2017.
While applauding the achievements of the ministry, the Committee had identified some opportunities for improvements; these are outlined in the report.

I take this opportunity to thank the Minister, Permanent Secretary including all staff and their families for a job well done and their dedication to securing the nation for all Fijians and visitors to our shores.

I take this opportunity to thank members of my Committee including contributions of alternate members: Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua and Hon.


Prof. Biman Prasad (alternate members for Hon.

Pio Tikoduadua) and Hon.

Mikaele Leawere (alternate member for Hon.

Anare Jale) and the Secretariat for compiling this bipartisan report.

On behalf of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, I submit this report to the Parliament.

_______________________ Hon.
Alexander O’Connor Chairperson 4 | P a g e Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017 Acronyms CI CIA CBDs CSD Critical Infrastructure Critical Infrastructure Assets Central Business District Corporate Services Division CTOG Counter Terrorism Official Group DOI Department of Immigration E-Passport Electronic Passport FPF Fiji Police Force FSDAC Fiji Security and Defence Advisory Committee GBSC INSSP NAD NSC Government Building Security Committee Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plan National Assessment Division National Security Council NSDR National Security and Defence Review NSS MLO National Security Strategy Military Liaison Officer MODNSI Ministry of Defence, National Security and Immigration NCLASA National Combine Law and Security Agencies PLO RFMF SALW SAR SD SDG SISC SFD SO Police Liaison Officer Republic of Fiji Military Forces Small Arms Light Weapons Search and Rescue Security Division Sustainable Development Goal Security Industry Standard Committee Security Forces Division Standing Orders SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea 5 | P a g e Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017 Recommendations The Committee recommends the following: Recommendation 1: The Committee recommends appropriate action is taken for the stability of the Ministry and retention of key senior specialised staff moving forward.
Recommendation 2: The Committee recommends that relevant policies be put in place to safeguard and protect critical national assets such as, water catchments, petroleum storage facilities, power stations, sewerage treatment plants, telecommunication sites, seaports and airports.

Vibrant and efficient monitoring and evaluation together with legislative framework for these critical national assets is the way forward for the Ministry.
Critical assets need 24/7 security guards to act as deterrence to sabotage and criminal breaches.

Recommendation 3: The Committee strongly recommends that the Ministry encourage positive engagements with the RFMF in tabling its first Annual Report.

Recommendation 4: The Committee notes that the Ministry is progressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular SDG 5 Gender Equality with alignment to the National Development Plan (NDP).
Recommendation 5: The Committee notes clarity from the Department of Immigration on The Independent Auditors Report highlighting the variance of $3,006,088 on the Integrated Border Control Management System (IBMS) which records the Department of Immigrations operating revenue and the FMIS General Ledger.
Recommendation 6: The Committee needs appropriate answers from the relevant authorities in the detailed listings of work permit holders equating to the security bond of $25,215,349 held in trust and not maintained by the Department of Immigration.
6 | P a g e Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background and Terms of Reference The Committee had reviewed the Annual Report and identified key areas that need to be assessed and these included the Ministry of Defence budgetary allocation, policies, programs and projects of 2016 – 2017 fiscal year, human resource development and the overall administration.
On 2nd March 2020, the Ministry of Defence Executives and Senior Officers of the RFMF and FPF made a presentation to the Committee on the operations and administration of the organisation in 2016-2017.

In summary, the information for this report was obtained through a thorough Committee assessment of the Ministry of Defence and National Security 2016- 2017 and an oral presentations by Senior Officials.

The Report is divided into three parts: I. II.

III.
III.

Part One - focuses on the Committee recommendations Part Two - covers the Findings of the report to Parliament Part Three -covers the Conclusion.

1.2 Committee Remit and Composition Pursuant to Standing Orders 109(2) (e) that the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence is mandated to look into matters related to Fiji’s relations with other countries, development aid, foreign direct investment, oversight of the military and relations with multi- lateral organisation.
The members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence are as follows: 1.2.1 Hon.

Alexander O’Connor – Chairperson 1.2.2 Hon.

Dr. Salik Govind - Deputy Chairperson 1.2.3 Hon.

Pio Tikoduadua – Member 1.2.4 Hon.

Selai Adimaitoga – Member 1.2.5 Hon.

Anare Jale – Member 1.2.6 Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua – Alternate Member 1.2.7 Hon.

Mikaele Leawere – Alternate Member 1.2.8 Hon.
Prof. Biman Prasad- Alternate Member 1.3 Procedure and Program The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence commenced its deliberation on the 24th of February 2020 and received a written and oral submission from the Ministry of Defence and National Security on the 2nd of March, 2020 with the following attendees:  Mr. Manasa Lesuma - Permanent Secretary  Mrs Litia Saumaka- Acting Director Immigration Department  Mr. Joji Dumukoro – Manager Security Forces  Captain (Navy) John Fox- Chief of Staff Republic of Fiji Military Forces  Senior Superintendent of Police Aporosa Lutunauga – Director Strategic Planning 7 | P a g e Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017 2.0 Committee Deliberation and Analysis 2.1 Committee Findings The Committee’s findings are outlined below: Ministry of Defence 1.
The Committee recognised there is no gender policy or disaggregated data in the report however, at the presentation of the ministry the committee was informed of its gender policy and the employee gender distribution.

Department of Immigration 1.


The Committee notes clarity from the Department of Immigration on The Independent Auditors Report highlighting the variance of $3,006,088 on the Integrated Border Control Management System (IBMS) which records the Department of Immigrations operating revenue and the FMIS General Ledger.

2.
2.

The Committee needs appropriate answers from the relevant authorities in the detailed listings of work permit holders equating to the security bond $25,215,349 held in trust and not maintained by the Department of Immigration.

Republic of Fiji Military Forces 1.

The Committee strongly recommends that the Ministry encourage positive engagements with RFMF in tabling its first Annual Report.

Fiji Police Force (FPF) 1.


The Committee notes the need for the latest crime statistics, trends and strategies to curb crime for the reporting period 2016-2017 and till to date 2020.

Challenges  The Committee recommends the latest satellite and geo-spatial technology with the appropriate training for military, navy, police and Ministry of Defence personnel to assist law enforcement, security and defence operations and crisis management.
 The Committee noted that in the absence of the National Security Strategy yet to be tabled in Parliament, the Ministry of Defence, the RFMF and the Fiji Police Force conduct their businesses with a degree of autonomy with minimal policy guidance from the ministry.
8 | P a g e Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017 2.2 Oral and Written Evidence Received The Committee received oral and written submissions from stakeholders and the public as listed on page 7 of this report and in Appendix A.
3.0 Gender Analysis The Parliament of Fiji Standing Orders 110(2) requires the Committee to give full consideration 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.
9 | P a g e Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017 4.0 Conclusion The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence has fulfilled its mandate approved by Parliament which was to examine the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017.

10 | P a g e Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017 5.0 Members’ Signature _____________________ Hon.

Alexander O’Connor Chairperson Hon.


Dr. Salik Govind Hon.

Pio Tikoduadua Deputy Chairperson Member Hon.

Selai Adimaitoga Hon.

Anare Jale Member Member Hon.

Mikaele Leawere Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua (Alternate Member for Hon.

Anare Jale during the duration of Annual Report Proceedings) (Alternate Member for Hon.
Pio Tikoduadua during the duration of Annual Report Proceedings) 11 | P a g e Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017 6.0 Appendices No Date Agency/Organisation 1 2nd March 2020 Permanent Secretary of and National Defence Senior with Security the Officials Department of Immigration, RFMF and FPF from Written Evidence Oral Evidence   12 | P a g e Review Report of the Ministry of Defence and National Security Annual Report 2016-2017