Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694873397711.pdf (Fiji)
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI _____________ of Proceedings of Parliament at Suva on Friday, Thirteenth day of May, 2022 MINUTES 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.

Adi Litia Qionibaravi, Hon.

Viliame Gavoka, Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua 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 Thursday, 12 May 2022 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, those in the public gallery and those watching the live broadcast of the proceedings.

He also welcomed the PL 100 – Government and Politics students from the University of the South Pacific.

Hon.
Hon.

Speaker also encouraged Honourable Members to peruse the Girmit Photo Exhibition and display at the foyer, in commemoration of the 143rd Anniversary of the Arrival of the Girmityas in Fiji.

1 6.
1 6.

PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND CERTAIN DOCUMENTS The following reports were tabled and referred accordingly to the relevant Standing Committees – (a) Standing Committee on Social Affairs (i) Housing Authority – 2016 Annual Report; (ii) Housing Authority – 2017 Annual Report; and (iii) Public Rental Board – 2018 Annual Report.

(b) Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence (i) Fiji Police Force – August 2018 to July 2019 Annual Report.

7.

QUESTIONS 122/2022 Hon.


Virendra Lal asked the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation – Can the Minister update Parliament on the Child Protection Programme, which has an allocation of $50,000 in the Revised 2021-2022 Budget.

129/2022 Hon.

Pio Tikoduadua asked the Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, and Local Government – Can the Minister inform Parliament of the reasons for the delay in the re-opening of Govind Park, Ba.

130/2022 131/2022 132/2022 133/2022 Hon.


Vijay Nath asked the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation – Given that the revised budget provided an increase in allocation of $6million under the bus fare programme, can the Minister update Parliament on how social welfare recipients will benefit from this programme.

Hon.
Hon.

Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu asked the Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, and Local Government – Can the Minister update Parliament on the progress of rehabilitation of Laucala District School.

Hon.

Rohit Sharma asked the Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, and Local Government– Can the Minister update Parliament on the Teachers’ Talanoa Platform which was launched on 8 September 2021.

Hon.
Hon.

Peceli Vosanibola asked the Minister for Health and Medical Services – Can the Minister update Parliament on the Breteau Index of mosquito and its implications in the transmission of dengue fever in Fiji.

2 134/2022 135/2022 136/2022 Hon.

Sachida Nand asked the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport – In the Revised 2021-2022 Budget, the Government announced changes to Fiji’s border entry conditions, can the Minister update Parliament on how this has eased international travel.

Hon.
Hon.

Ratu Jone Seniloli asked the Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands and Mineral Resources – Can the Minister update Parliament on plans to improve water supply to Namara District in Tailevu.

Hon.

Alipate Nagata asked the Attorney-General, and Minister for Economy, Civil Service, Communications, Housing and Community Development – Can the Minister update Parliament on the recently launched National Climate Finance Strategy.

Written Question 137/2022 Hon.


Jese Saukuru asked the Prime Minister and Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Sugar Industry, Foreign Affairs and Forestry – Can the Prime Minister update Parliament on the lease funds held in trust by the iTaukei Land Trust Board for mataqali members below 18 years, in particular – (a) (b) how many were beneficiaries since 2018; and the total funds held in trust for these beneficiaries annually since 2018.
The responses to the Oral and Supplementary Questions were given by the respective Ministers.

The Hon.

Speaker informed Honourable Members that the response to Written Question 137/2022 had been submitted by the Hon.

Prime Minister and Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Sugar Industry, Foreign Affairs and Forestry.

8.

END OF WEEK STATEMENTS (a) (b) (c) The Hon.


Salote Radrodro delivered her End of Week Statement and the Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands and Mineral Resources the Hon.

Jone Usamate subsequently responded.

The Hon.

Filipe Tuisawau delivered his End of Week Statement and the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service, Communications, Housing and Community Development the Hon.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum subsequently responded.

The Hon.
The Hon.

Alvick Maharaj delivered his End of Week Statement and the Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, and Local Government the Hon.

Premila Kumar subsequently responded.

3 (d) The Hon.

Sachida Nand delivered his End of Week Statement and the Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations, Youth and Sports the Hon.

Parveen Bala subsequently responded.

9.

ADJOURNMENT The Leader of the Government in Parliament the Hon.
Inia Seruiratu moved that Parliament stands adjourned until the next sitting date as would be determined in due course.

Motion seconded.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

Hon.

Speaker thanked all Honourable Members for their contributions during the sitting week.
He also informed Honourable Members on the CWP Fiji Group “Women MPs Mentoring Workshop on Aspiring Women Politicians” scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 18 May 2022 at the Suva Civic Centre, Nadi Civic Centre and the Labasa Civic Centre.

Hon.

Speaker declared Parliament adjourned until the next sitting date as would be determined in due course.

Parliament adjourned at 12.54 p.m. Speaker of Parliament Secretary-General to Parliament 13th May, 2022.

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