Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694873056759.pdf (Fiji)
PARLIAMENT NEWSLETTER 2022 Parliament Quarterly Newsletter Issue No.

1 : January – March SPEAKER ACKNOWLEDGES COMMITMENT BY DONORS DURING THE LAUNCH OF THE FPSP PHASE 3 Group Photo after the signing ceremony (left to right); H.E John Feakes, the Australian High Commission, H.E Charlotte Darlow, the New Zealand High Commission and Speaker H.E Hon.
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau with the Resident Representative, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Mr Levan Bouadze from T he Fijian Parliament and the United Nations Development Programme the (‘UNDP’) with support Governments of Australia and New Zealand launched the third phase of the Fiji Parliament Support Project (‘FPSP’).

During the launch at the Grand Pacific Hotel, the Speaker of Parliament H.E Hon.
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau acknowledged the commitment, support and contribution of the donors into Phase 3 of the FPSP.

“Your generous support will help us accomplish our goal of institutional strengthening and continuing our work of enhancing parliamentary democracy in Fiji.” H.E Hon.

Nailatikau emphasised the outreach of the project and its impact in empowering Fijian citizens.

“The impact of your kind contribution towards Phase Three of the Project goes beyond the institution of Parliament.
It is also helping Fiji in its desire to be a nation of informed, inclusive and empowered citizens,” Hon.

Ratu Epeli said.

The Speaker also highlighted the transformation and successful outcomes of the Fiji governance system since Phase 1 of the Project.
“The support and contribution of our development partners have become important and was critical as we re- established parliamentary democracy in 2014.” “The FPSP, of needed the stewardship the UNDP has provided much technical assistance, capacity through development and infrastructure to the Parliament, its staff and MPs that reflect international standards and best practices for a modern Parliament,” Hon.

Ratu Epeli said.
Ratu Epeli said.

The Resident Representative, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Mr Levan Bouadze also mentioned the importance of this initiative not only in Fiji but the Pacific Region.

“As a result of this transformation and these initiatives, the Fijian Parliament has become a beacon of capacity building for many Parliaments in the Pacific region.

It is also globally recognised for its work on the SDGs, through forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s annual conferences,” said Mr Bouadze.
He said that the UNDP Pacific Office is assured that the Fijian Parliament will utilise the support to take its transformation to the next level in the next parliamentary cycle and phase of the project.

“Our conviction is grounded into the Fijian to become Parliament’s commitment a modern and democratic Parliament that is relevant to changing times.
We have witnessed this commitment in a pronounced manner during the last two terms, but also very recently, during the last two years of the pandemic.” “We are also thankful to the Governments of New Zealand and of Australia for funding the FPSP Phase 3.

We look forward to continuing to work together to accompany the Fiji Parliament on its journey,” said Mr Bouadze.
“A Parliament responsive to the needs of the people and driven by the ideal of a better quality of life for all Fijians” NEXT PARLIAMENT SITTING APRIL Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun MAY Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun JUNE Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun ` 26 27 28 29 30 31 KEYS PROROGATION PUBLIC HOLIDAYS OPENING OF PARLIAMENT PARLIAMENT SITTING DAYS NEWS INSIDE 2 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ON THE HERITAGE AND INVESTMENT FIJI BILLS PARLIAMENT AND FIJI POLICE FORCE SIGN MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT ACTS ENACTED IN JANUARY – MARCH 2022 INTER-PARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS & PROTOCOL : JANUARY – MARCH 2022 STANDING COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT JANUARY – MARCH 2022 COMMITTEES AT WORK INTERNAL EVENTS TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON.
OSEA NAIQAMU INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY SWEARING IN : NEW MPs www.parliament.gov.fj 2/ 2022 Parliament Quarterly Newsletter Issue No.

1 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ON THE HERITAGE AND INVESTMENT FIJI BILLS Members of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights with members of the public at the Deed of Cession site in Levuka as part of their site visit and public consultation on the Heritage Bill.
to the public conducted T he Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights (‘Standing public Committee’) consultations around the country on the Heritage Bill 2021 (Bill No.

3 of 2021) and the Investment Fiji Bill 2022 (Bill No.

5 of 2022).

In January, the Committee began their consultations in Levuka on the Heritage Bill and then moved to the Northern and Western Divisions in February for the Investment Fiji Bill and the Heritage Bill.

the Chairperson of According the Standing Committee, Hon.
Alvick Maharaj, consultation and site visits would greatly assist the Standing Committee in putting together its report that would be tabled in the April Sitting of Parliament.

“For possible world heritage sites in the Northern Division, the Standing Committee visited the Yaduataba Island, the sanctuary of Fiji’s crested iguana, the Nagigi Naag Mandir in Labasa and the Floating Island in Kurukuru, Lagalaga, about 55km from Labasa.
The Standing Committee also conducted site visits at the Waisali Forest Reserve in Savusavu and the Tagimoucia lake in Taveuni.” “Public consultations were also held with business communities and youth groups, as we believe that we have existing potential investors and future potential investors the Northern Division,” Hon.

Maharaj said.
Maharaj said.

the The Seaqaqa District Advisory Council, Mr Prakash Chandra said the visit by the Standing Committee was an educational one as it helped them better understand the Bills that are currently being discussed in Parliament.

“This is the first time we are having this meeting in Dagau, Seaqaqa and it has been an educational programme for us all.
Once both Bills are passed, the people of Vanua Levu will greatly benefit as tourists will be Vice-Chairperson of in Members of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights at Yaduataba Island, the sanctuary of Fiji’s crested iguana.

coming to the North, the companies and small businesses will benefit together with the shopkeepers, taxi drivers and bus companies,” Mr Chandra said.
Head of Mataqali for Bouwaqa where the Floating Island is located, Ms Akanisi Vinaka, thanked the Standing Committee for coming all the way to Lagalaga to shed light on the Heritage Bill.

“For a long time, we have been planning to develop the area where the Floating Island is located and today, we are happy to hear that the passing of the Bill will open the way to develop the area that will allow tourism to grow in the Northern Division,” Ms Vinaka said.
Labasa businessman Mr Atiff Ali welcomed the Investment Fiji Bill and the Heritage Bill but he requested for the export and the local domestic supply to be looked into.

“Before, we foreign focus on investors, what I would like to implore the Standing Committee everyone, Members, the corporate bodies such as Investment Fiji, to look into the matters pertaining to export and local domestic market supply.
I am particularly speaking in terms of primary industry.” “On one hand, we welcome this Bill the but on the other hand, we would like to implore the Government, to look into the process that we believe has become bureaucratic,” Mr Ali said.

For the Central and Western Divisions, the Standing Committee held public consultations with the communities in Kulukulu, Momi and Rakiraki.

Site visits were held at the Garrick Rainforest in Navua, Sigatoka Sand Dunes, Momi Gun Site and the Vatukoula Gold Mine.
In Naitasiri, public consultation was held with the villagers of Nadakuni as they partly have the landowning rights for Sovi Basin, a proposed world heritage site.

Members of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights at Yaduataba Island, the sanctuary of Fiji’s crested iguana.

Issue No.
Issue No.

1 2022 Parliament Quarterly Newsletter /3 PARLIAMENT AND FIJI POLICE FORCE SIGN MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT Secretary-General to Parliament Mrs Jeanette Emberson and the Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho during the signing of the Agreement.. of A Memorandum Agreement (‘Agreement’) was signed by the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji and the Fiji Police Force at the Fiji Police Force Headquarters on February 25th, 2022.
The Agreement entails the provision of security services at the Parliament precincts.

the The Agreement was signed by Secretary-General to Parliament Mrs Jeanette Emberson and the Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho whereby the Fiji Police Force will ensure the protection of the Hon.

Speaker of Parliament and the Hon.

Members of Parliament.


The Fiji Police Force will provide security and protection services within and around the Parliament precincts during Parliament sitting weeks, Parliamentary Standing Committee public consultations, site visits or meetings whether within or at a designated venue outside the Parliament precincts.

The Parties have entered the Agreement with goodwill towards each other and primarily for the purpose of bridging the security gap for the Parliament.
into Secretary-General to Parliament Mrs Jeanette Emberson and the Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho with the signed Agreement.

ACTS ENACTED IN JANUARY – MARCH 2022 NO.

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 ACTS Act No.

1 of 2022 – Liquor (Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

2 of 2022 – Tobacco Control (Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

3 of 2022 – Fiji National University (Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

4 of 2022 – Commission of Inquiry (Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.
5 of 2022 – Revised 2021-2022 Appropriation Act 2022 Act No.

6 of 2022 – Tax Administration (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

7 of 2022 – Income Tax (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

8 of 2022 – Value Added Tax (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

9 of 2022 – Airport Departure Tax (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

10 of 2022 – Environment and Climate Adaptation Levy (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 11 Act No.
11 of 2022 – Customs (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 12 13 Act No.

12 of 2022 – Customs Tariff (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

13 of 2022 – Financial Management (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 NO.

14 ACTS Act No.

14 of 2022 – Employment Relations (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

15 of 2022 – Citizenship of Fiji (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

16 of 2022 – Surveyors (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.
17 of 2022 – Real Estate Agents (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

18 of 2022 – Town Planning (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

19 of 2022 – Lagilagi Housing Development Act 2022 Act No.

20 of 2022 – Medical and Dental Practitioner (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

21 of 2022 – Development of Informal Settlements Act 2022 Act No.

22 of 2022 – Land Transport (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 Act No.

23 of 2022 – Value Added Tax (Amendment) (No.

2) Act 2022 Act No.
2) Act 2022 Act No.

24 of 2022 – Customs Tariff (Amendment) (No.

2) Act 2022 Act No.

25 of 2022 – Investment Fiji Act 2022 4/ 2022 Parliament Quarterly Newsletter Issue No.

1 INTER–PARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS & PROTOCOL: JANUARY – MARCH 2022 W e b i n a r s / M e e t i n g s NO.

INVITATION COUNTRY/ HOST DATE DELEGATION 01 Powering Parliaments of the future, Parliamentary Services Conference 2022: Call for Papers Parliament of Victoria, Australia 17 – 19 January 1.

Mr Sefanaia Tudonu 2.

Mr Maika Lakeba 3.


Mr Abele Sakulu 4.

Ms Laisa Masirewa 5.

Ms Asha Kumar 6.

Ms Bale Dolokoto 02 03 Bureau of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly: Preparatory meeting of the 7th Meeting of the Drafting Committee on the ACP-EU JPA Rules of Procedure Brussels, Belgium 19 January 1.

Hon.

Alvick Maharaj IPU - Nuclear disarmament and human security: Reducing nuclear risks and advancing nuclear disarmament to protect our common future Geneva, Switzerland 19 January 1.

Mr Jacob Abraham 2.
Mr Jacob Abraham 2.

Ms Susana Korovou 04 7th Meeting of the Drafting Committee of the ACP-EU JPA Rules of Procedures Brussels, Belgium 22 January 1.

Hon.

Alvick Maharaj 05 Session 3 - Masterclass series for parliamentarians in the Pacific Parliamentary action to support a gender-sensitive economic recovery’ in the Pacific UNDP - Holiday Inn, Suva 25 January 1.

Women MPs 2.

SCCs 06 Bureau of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly Brussels, Belgium 01 February 1.

Hon.
Hon.

Alvick Maharaj 07 Consultation meeting – Vanuatu Parliament and Fiji Parliament Vanuatu 02 February 1.

Mr Senitieli Wainiu 2.

Mr Abele Sakulu 08 Bureau of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Brussels, Belgium 03 February 1.

Hon.

Alvick Maharaj 09 Preparatory Meeting for the 8th Meeting of the Drafting Committee on the ACP-EU JPA Rules of Procedures Brussels, Belgium 18 February 1.

Hon.
Hon.

Alvick Maharaj 10 Launch of the South Pacific Astronomy Society of Enthusiasts (SPASE) Small Committee Room, Parliament of Fiji, Suva, Fiji 22 February 1.

H.E Ratu Epeli Nailatikau 11 Preparatory meeting of the 9th Meeting of the Drafting Committee on the ACP-EU JPA Rules of Procedure Brussels, Belgium 01 March 1.

Hon.

Alvick Maharaj 12 9th Meeting of the Drafting Committee on the ACP-EU JPA Rules of Procedure Brussels, Belgium 03 March 1.

Hon.
Hon.

Alvick Maharaj 13 10th Meeting of the Drafting Committee on ACP-EU JPA Rules of Procedure Brussels, Belgium 14 – 15 March 1.

Hon.

Alvick Maharaj 14 IPU – UN Women Parliamentary Meeting Special session on public engagement at the IPU Assembly IPU-UNDP Global Parliamentary Report 2022 on Public Engagement in the Work of Parliament (pre-recorded video) New York, United States of America Nusa Dua, Indonesia 15 – 16 March 1.

Hon.

Rosy Akbar 2.

Hon.

Selai Adimaitoga 22 March 1.


H.E Ratu Epeli Nailatikau 15 16 17 18 Bureau of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly preparatory meeting of the 41st Session of the ACP-EU JPA Strasbourg, France 21 March 1.

Hon.

Alvick Maharaj ACP-EU JPA Conciliation Meeting – Urgent topic No 1: Threats to stability, security and democracy Western and Sahelian Africa 22 March 1.

Hon.
Hon.

Alvick Maharaj ACP-EU JPA Conciliation Meeting – URGENT TOPIC - Enhancing the resilience of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) against climate change and natural disasters Brussels, Belgium 23 March 1.

Hon.

Alvick Maharaj 19 CPA UK’s Virtual Roundtable on Online Violence Against Women London, United Kingdom 28 March 1.

Hon.

Veena Bhatnagar 2.

Hon.

Selai Adimaitoga 20 60th Session of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly Strasbourg, France 29 – 31 March 1.

Hon.
Hon.

Alvick Maharaj C o u r t e s y C a l l s NO.
01 02 03 04 05 06 INVITATION COUNTRY DATE Courtesy Call by the Croatian Ambassador to Fiji- H.E Betty Bernardica PAVELICH to H.E Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (Speaker of Parliament) Croatia 31 January Courtesy Call by the New Cuban Ambassador to Fiji, H.E Jose Manuel GALEGO Montano to H.E Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (Speaker of Parliament) Cuba 21 February Courtesy Call by the new EU Head of Political & Trade H.E Pirjo-Liisa HEIKKILA (Counsellor) to Mrs. Jeanette Emberson (Secretary General to Parliament) European Union 28 February Courtesy Call by the New Ambassador of France to Fiji -H.E Francois Xavier LEGER to H.E Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (Speaker of Parliament) France 04 March Courtesy Call by the New Non- Resident Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Fiji, H.E Michael GOFFIN to H.E Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (Speaker of Parliament) Belgium 15 March Courtesy Call by the Non-Resident Ambassador designate for Brazil to Fiji and the Pacific H.E Mauricio LYRIO to H.E Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (Speaker of Parliament) Brazil 23 March Issue No.
1 2022 Parliament Quarterly Newsletter /5 STANDING COMMITTEE S O F PA R L I A ME N T JANUARY – MARCH 2022 S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E O N J U S T I C E , L A W A N D H U M A N R I G H T S NO.

OF MEETINGS 54 Nil COMMITTEE REPORTS TABLED PAPERS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE 1.

Investment Fiji Bill 2022 (Bill No.

5 of 2022 COMMITTEE REPORTS TABLED PAPERS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE NO.

OF MEETINGS 23 1.
OF MEETINGS 23 1.

Consolidated Review Report of the Fiji Commerce Commission 2016-2017 and Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission 2017-2018 NO.

OF MEETINGS 24 Nil COMMITTEE REPORTS TABLED NO.
OF MEETINGS 42 COMMITTEE REPORTS TABLED 1. Review of the 2017-2018 Whole of Government Audit Reports (Consolidated Report) 2. Review of the Office of the Auditor-General’s 2020 Annual report and Assessing the Office of the Auditor-Generals – Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) Performance Management Framework (Consolidated Report) 3. Review of the 2018-2019 Audit Report on Government Commercial Companies Statutory Authorities and other Entities and the 2018- 2019 Audit Report on Statutory Authorities (Consolidated Report Nil Nil Nil PAPERS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE PAPERS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE NO.
OF MEETINGS 31 Nil COMMITTEE REPORTS TABLED PAPERS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE 1.

Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Environment 2016 Annual Report 2.

Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Environment 2016-2017 Annual Report 3.

Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Environment 2017-2018 Annual Report 4.

Labasa Town Council Annual Report 2005 5.

Labasa Town Council Annual Report 2013 6.

Labasa Town Council Annual Report 2017 7.

Sigatoka Town Council Annual Report 2019 8.


Levuka Town Council Annual Report for the Year 2011 9.

National Fire Authority Annual Report 2015 Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service and Communications, Hon.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum delivering the Revised 2021-2022 Budget in March 2022 Chamber attendant Kitione Bete distributing the Budget documents in March 2022.

6/ 2022 Parliament Quarterly Newsletter Issue No.


1 COMMITTEE S AT WO RK Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs Head of Pacific Office and Trade, Ewen McDonald on February 23rd, 2022.

Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, the Hon.

Vijay Nath presents a Committee Report during Parliament sitting in February, 2022.
Members of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights at the Momi Bay Battery Historical Park during the Heritage Bill consultation.

Members of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, at the Sigatoka Sand dunes during the Heritage Bill consultation.

Public Consultation by the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights at Seaqaqa on the Heritage Bill in February, 2022.
Members of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, at Vatukoula Gold Mine during the Heritage Bill consultation.

Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, the Hon.

Jale Sigarara presents a Committee Report during Parliament sitting in February, 2022.

Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Hon.

Alvick Maharaj presents a Committee Report during Parliament sitting in February, 2022.
Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Hon.

Viam Pillay tabling the Review of the Fiji National University 2019 Annual Report in February, 2022.

Women of Nabaitavo Village attending the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights consultation on the Heritage Bill in March, 2022.

Issue No.

1 2022 Parliament Quarterly Newsletter /7 INTER NAL E VEN TS Speaker of Parliament H.E Hon.
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau with women MP’s and staff of Parliament during International Women’s Day on March 8th.

Courtesy call from the new Ambassador of France to Fiji, H.E Francois Xavier Leger to the Speaker of Parliament Hon.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau on March 4th.

Courtesy call from the new Non-Resident Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Fiji, H.E Michael Goffin to the Speaker of Parliament on March 15th.
Courtesy call from the new Cuban Ambassador to Fiji, H.E Jose Manuel Galego Montano to the Speaker of Parliament Hon.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau on February 21.

Courtesy call from the Non-resident Ambassador of Croatia to Fiji Her Excellency Ms. Betty Bernardica Pavelich to the Speaker of Parliament Hon.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau .

Secretary-General to Parliament, Mrs Jeanette Emberson receives a courtesy call from the EU Head of Political & Trade, Ms Pirjo-Liisa HEIKKILA (Counsellor) in February, 2022.
Secretary-General to Parliament, Mrs Jeanette Emberson with Hon.

Ro Teimumu Kepa and Hon.

Veena Bhatnagar during the International Women’s Day celebration, March 8th, 2022.

TRIBU TE TO THE LATE HON.

OSEA NAIQAMU Hon.

Osea Naiqamu taking his oath of allegiance after being re-elected as a Member of Parliament on 26 November 2018.

H.E Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Speaker of Parliament led the Fijian Parliament’s i-reguregu delegation to the family of the late Hon.
Osea Naiqamu, former Member of Parliament and former Minister for Forestry at his residence at Natabua, Lautoka in January.

8/ 2022 Parliament Quarterly Newsletter Issue No.

1 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY The Fijian Parliament joined in the worldwide celebration for International Women’s Day on March 8th, 2022.

To mark International Women’s Day this year, the Fijian Parliament together with the Speaker of Parliament, H.E Hon.
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau hosted a morning tea for women Honourable Members of Parliament.

With this year’s theme as, “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow and Break the Bias”, female Honourable Members of Parliament offered words of encouragement and support to all women in Fiji.

Speaker of Parliament H.E Hon.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau with Hon.

Ro Teimumu Kepa and Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua in the cutting of the International Women’s Day cake on March 8th, 2022.
Women Members of Parliament with Parliament staff during International Women’s Day.
“ This is an annual occasion designated for all women, families and friends to join together in raising awareness on the importance of promoting gender equality experience, equal opportunity and face no barriers in all aspects of their lives, whether it be going about their day to day lives with adequate needs in their communities, joining the work force or being able to showcase their abilities and reach their goals without facing any barriers.
Our girls and women have a right to engage in civil society, vote in elections, be elected to Government office, serve on boards and make their voices heard in any process that will ultimately affect them, their families and their communities.

Hon.

Rosy Sofia Akbar Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation “ “ This International Women’s Day, I would like to extend my sincere well wishes to all incredible women in Fiji and around the world, “Shine bright, not just for today but everyday” .
Wishing every woman a very happy International Women’s Day.

Personally I feel the most critical element in empowering women is for women to realise their full potential because your perception creates your reality and more often than not, we are reminded that at the end of the day, women will be forgotten if they forget to think about themselves.

Hon.
Hon.

Veena Bhatnagar Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation “ I would like to wish all women of Fiji a very happy International Women’s Day.

I would like to encourage as many of you (women) as possible who have been thinking about getting into politics “ to try and get in this year because we really need you in Parliament.

Women look at power more as a responsibility so come in and make a difference in Parliament.

Hon.
Hon.

Ro Teimumu Kepa Member of Parliament “ I take much pleasure to wish all of us particularly women and young women a happy International Women’s Day.

Make sure that you are able to cast your vote in this upcoming general elections so that “ we can be able to increase the number of women in Parliament.

“ Hon.

Salote Radrodro Member of Parliament “ Fiji needs more women in Parliament, after all we make up nearly 50% of our population but we cannot do it ourselves.
To empower women’s political participation in national decision making, why not support a woman who is running for public office.

She will need the support of her family and the encouragement of her village and her community.

She will need financial support because it is not cheap to run for public office.

Women’s political participation is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy.
“ “ One thing that I have noticed, it is the women and the youths who are the lifeline of any political party, so we are the ones who mobilise a political party.

Imagine if we get to be the leaders of our nation, that will be just amazing.

In Fiji, this is the best time or right time to have a female Prime Minister, whether it is from my party or any other party, so this is why we need more women to join.
We are the ones who run the home, imagine if we run the nation, things would be much better and I urged us all (women) to come on board and be counted, be an active player, stop being a supporter, come on board and Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua Member of Parliament “ SWEARING IN: NEW MPs stand for politics.

Hon.

Tanya Waqanika Member of Parliament Swearing-in of new Members of Parliament, Hon.

Howard Politini and Hon.

Ratu Jone Seniloli in February, 2022.