Page 36 - IB OCT 2017

Opinion COP23 Bonn, Germany 6 - 17 Novem-
ber, 2017

From Page 33 the Government and have become mere- earlier coups) remain unhealed.
Further, what we have experienced ly political tools for rejecting changes Fiji indeed has a proud tradition of
since the Elections of 2014 is a Par- to the Decrees defining procedures and resolving its problem peacefully through
liamentary dictatorship under which rules that govern the Elections. dialogue and negotiations, mutual re-
opposition parties are treated with The public do not see these offices as spect and agreements that is over 50
disdain, with members expelled from politically independence. And the Media years long. The 2013 Constitution has
Parliament in breach of standing orders has not informed the public of the con- jettisoned all this with dictatorship under
and the laws of Parliamentary Privilege. tent of the MOG and EC Reports or the the façade of a Parliament.
There is no genuine bipartism approach Opposition Parties views in any details. Fiji needs to recover the political, cul-
to national issues as was envisaged in Bipartisan co-operation has been the tural, institutional and economic legacies
the 1997 Constitution. The Parliamen- political practice in Fiji ever since Fiji of national co-operation bequeathed by
tary Committee system is useless as a prepared for independence in 1970. This our leaders of the past.
means for public bipartisan influence history of consultation and co-operation And if the RFMF has genuinely taken a
on government laws and policies. Fiji’s resulted in the establishment of impor- new progressive and politically indepen-
successful past experiences of bipartisan tant institutions such as the FNPF, the dent direction, then it should support the
co-operation have been ignored. FEA, the Reserve Bank, Ports Authority, recovery of Fiji’s enlightened legacies.
There is no bipartisan discussion or Air Pacific, elected local governments, The RFMF also should support the
agreement even on how the electoral nationalisation of the Sugar Industry review of and necessary changes to the
system need to be reformed to achieve and its consultative institutions, in- 2013 Constitution. Colonel Jone Kalouni-
a free and fair elections, in accordance ternational policies, progressive laws wai and Commander Viliame’s Naupoto’s
with the recommendations of the inde- for resolving industrial disputes, two declaration of political independence and
pendent Multinational Observer Group Constitutions, and two electoral systems. acceptance of the results of the 2018
(MOG Report) 2014 and the 2014 Elec- After the 1992 Elections, the SVT Elections, whoever wins, is a hopeful
toral Commission Report. government had revived bipartisan sign for our future.
The media has not publicised the call consultation and agreement on the Con- Their support for the review and
of the Opposition Parties for a bipartisan stitution Review Commission resulting change of the 2013 Constitution will be
Committee to agree on electoral reforms. in the unanimous passing in Parliament needed with a as long-term commitment
The new Electoral Commission and Su- of the 1997 Constitution. to civilian-led elected government.
pervisor of Elections were appointed by The wounds of the 2006 coup (and

36 Islands Business, October 2017