Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694826309108.pdf (Fiji)
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI _____________ MINUTES of Proceedings of Parliament at Suva on Wednesday, Ninth Day of December, 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 Honourable Members were present except for the Hon.

Faiyaz Koya.

4.

ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OR AFFIRMATION Tanya Waqanika and Virendra Lal took the Oath of Office for Members of Parliament and the Oath of Allegiance.

The Hon.
The Hon.

Speaker advised all Honourable Members that Hon.

Tanya Waqanika and Hon.

Virendra Lal would deliver their maiden speeches on Friday, 11 December 2020.

5.

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, 8 December 2020, as previously circulated be taken as read and be confirmed.

Motion seconded.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

1 6.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CHAIR Hon.


Speaker welcomed all Honourable Members to the sitting of Parliament.

He also welcomed all those watching the live broadcast and the live-streaming of the proceedings from the comfort of their home, offices and mobile phones.

7.

RESUMPTION OF DEBATE ON THE MOTION BY THE HONOURABLE PRIME MINISTER Parliament resumed debate on the motion that the Parliament thanks His Excellency the President for His most gracious speech.

Debates ensued.

[Speakers: Hon.


Prof. Biman Prasad, Hon.

Joseph Nand, Hon.

Lenora Qereqeretabua, Hon.

Vijay Nath, Hon.

Adi Litia Qionibaravi, Hon.

Alexander O’Connor, Hon.

Aseri Radrodro, Hon.

Viam Pillay, Hon.

Salote Radrodro, Hon.

Simione Rasova and Hon.

Dr Mahendra Reddy.]

8.


CONSIDERATION OF BILLS (a) MOTION BY THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR ECONOMY, CIVIL SERVICE AND COMMUNICATIONS The Attorney-General and Minister Communications moved a motion pursuant to Standing Order 51 – for Economy, Civil Service and (A) (B) (C) (D) That the Income Tax (Amendment) (No.
3) Bill 2020 be considered by Parliament without delay; That the Bill must pass through one stage at a single sitting of Parliament; That the Bill must not be referred to a Standing Committee or other Committee of Parliament; and That the Bill must be debated and voted upon by Parliament on Friday (11 December 2020), but that 1 hour be given to debate the Bill, with the right of reply given to him as the Member moving the motion.

Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.


Motion agreed to unanimously.
2 (b) MOTION BY THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR ECONOMY, CIVIL SERVICE AND COMMUNICATIONS The Attorney-General and Minister Communications moved a motion pursuant to Standing Order 51 – for Economy, Civil Service and (A) (B) (C) (D) That the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (Amendment) Bill 2020 be considered by Parliament without delay; That the Bill must pass through one stage at a single sitting of Parliament; That the Bill must not be referred to a Standing Committee or other Committee of Parliament; and That the Bill must be debated and voted upon by Parliament on Friday (11 December 2020), but that 1 hour be given to debate the Bill, with the right of reply given to him as the Member moving the motion.
Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.
(c) MOTION BY THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR ECONOMY, CIVIL SERVICE AND COMMUNICATIONS The Attorney-General and Minister Communications moved a motion pursuant to Standing Order 51 – for Economy, Civil Service and (A) (B) (C) (D) That the Ozone Depleting Substances (Amendment) Bill 2020 be considered by Parliament without delay; That the Bill must pass through one stage at a single sitting of Parliament; That the Bill must not be referred to a Standing Committee or other Committee of Parliament; and That the Bill must be debated and voted upon by Parliament on Friday (11 December 2020), but that 1 hour be given to debate the Bill, with the right of reply given to him as the Member moving the motion.
Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

3 (d) MOTION BY THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR ECONOMY, CIVIL SERVICE AND COMMUNICATIONS The Attorney-General and Minister Communications moved a motion pursuant to Standing Order 51 – for Economy, Civil Service and (A) (B) (C) (D) the Telecommunications (Amendment) (No.
2) Bill 2020 be That considered by Parliament without delay; That the Bill must pass through one stage at a single sitting of Parliament; That the Bill must not be referred to a Standing Committee or other Committee of Parliament; and That the Bill must be debated and voted upon by Parliament on Friday (11 December 2020), but that 1 hour be given to debate the Bill, with the right of reply given to him as the Member moving the motion.

Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

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 be suspended to allow the House to sit beyond 4.30 p.m. to complete the remaining items on the Order Paper.

Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.
(e) MOTION BY THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR ECONOMY, CIVIL SERVICE AND COMMUNICATIONS The Attorney-General and Minister Communications moved a motion pursuant to Standing Order 51 – for Economy, Civil Service and 4 (A) (B) (C) (D) That the Environment Management (Amendment) Bill 2020 be considered by Parliament without delay; That the Bill must pass through one stage at a single sitting of Parliament; That the Bill must not be referred to a Standing Committee or other Committee of Parliament; and That the Bill must be debated and voted upon by Parliament on Friday (11 December 2020), but that 1 hour be given to debate the Bill, with the right of reply given to him as the Member moving the motion.
Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.
(f) MOTION BY THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR ECONOMY, CIVIL SERVICE AND COMMUNICATIONS The Attorney-General and Minister Communications moved a motion pursuant to Standing Order 51 – for Economy, Civil Service and (A) (B) (C) (D) That the COVID-19 Response (Home Loan Assistance) Bill 2020 be considered by Parliament without delay; That the Bill must pass through one stage at a single sitting of Parliament; That the Bill must not be referred to a Standing Committee or other Committee of Parliament; and That the Bill must be debated and voted upon by Parliament on Friday (11 December 2020), but that 1 hour be given to debate the Bill, with the right of reply given to him as the Member moving the motion.
Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.

Motion agreed to unanimously.

(g) MOTION BY THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR ECONOMY, CIVIL SERVICE AND COMMUNICATIONS The Attorney-General and Minister Communications moved a motion pursuant to Standing Order 51 – for Economy, Civil Service and 5 (A) (B) (C) (D) That the Customs Tariff (Amendment) (No.
3) Bill 2020 be considered by Parliament without delay; That the Bill must pass through one stage at a single sitting of Parliament; That the Bill must not be referred to a Standing Committee or other Committee of Parliament; and That the Bill must be debated and voted upon by Parliament on Friday (11 December 2020), but that 1 hour be given to debate the Bill, with the right of reply given to him as the Member moving the motion.

Motion seconded.

Motion debated.

Question put.


Motion agreed to unanimously.

10.

ADJOURNMENT Hon.

Speaker thanked the Honourable Members for their contributions and adjourned Parliament until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 10 December 2020.

Parliament adjourned at 5.03 p.m. Speaker of Parliament Secretary-General to Parliament 9th December, 2020.

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