Page 9 - Islands Business January 2021

Whispers

women’s groups, disability advocates ing individual and group interests is
and other humanitarian organisa- commonplace as it should be, and the
tions over the years. Fiji Women’s party leadership is expected to deal
Crisis Centre Coordinator, Shamima with this and manage it as best we
Ali wants to know if a Code of Con- can.” He has asked supporters to put
duct for first responders developed their faith in the party, and help them
after devastating TC Winston in 2016 form a new government in 2022, even
has been distributed. She has also as Sitiveni Rabuka, who was voted out
criticised the publicity that some- of the SODELPA leadership, has started Front Page Pte Limited
times surrounds disaster responses. work to form a rival opposition party. PO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands.
“Stop using children for photo op- Workers for Rabuka were ejected from Tel: +679 330 3108
portunities and do not increase their a TC Yasa fundraising concert in Suva Email: advertising@islandsbusiness.com
trauma. When you take supplies into this month, where they were trying to Circulation & Distribution
the communities, don’t try to be collect signatures. subs@islandsbusiness.com
photographed with it. Think about Finance
the people’s trauma. They are going Colossal coral finance@islandsbusiness.com
through a lot,” Ali told local media. Scientists are calling it one of the
world’s largest corals. Measuring 22.4 Regional and local magazine sales agents
Chang thwarted by Fiji courts metres across and eight metres tall, Amy Street Pharmacy - Amy Street, Toorak
The former vice-chancellor of the the Porites coral has been documented Hot Bread Kitchen-selected outlets-Fiji
University of Fiji has failed to get a ju- within the waters of the National Park Gulabdas & Sons - Levuka, Fiji
dicial review of the Fiji government’s of American Samoa. Scientists estimate Kundan Singh Supermarket – Arts Village, Pacific Harbour,
decision to refuse her entry back into it is between 420 and 652 years old. Fiji
the country. Sushila Chang defied the Kundan Singh Supermarket – Tamavua, Suva, Fiji
COVID-19 lockdown of Lautoka last New medical intake told to pay Lami Pharmacy – Main Street, Lami
year. She said she needed to be with their own way
her husband, who was undergoing Is there an impending oversupply Mad Hatter Hut - Suva, Fiji
treatment for cancer. As a result, she of medical workers in Fiji? First year Methodist Bookstore – Stewart Street, Suva, Fiji
was sacked from the University. The students planning to study medicine/ MHCC – Suva, Fiji
Fiji High Court has now ruled that the surgery and dentistry have been told Nausori Airport Bookshop – Nausori
government’s decision could not be they will be no government-funded Samabula Drugstore – Samabula, Suva, Fiji
challenged through judicial review. student loans or scholarships available Suva Bookshop – Downtown Boulevard, Suva, Fiji
to them this year. The government says Tappoo outlets – Fijiwide
Tongan league awaits decision since 2014, adequate funding has been Textbook Wholesalers – BSP Centre Suva, Fiji
The Tonga National Rugby League allocated to train doctors, oral hygien- USP Bookcentre – USP, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji
is still waiting to hear whether it has ists and dentists to meet the World Palm Court Bistro – QBE Arcade, City Centre, Suva
successfully appealed against its ex- Health Organization’s requirements for
pulsion from the International Rugby the doctor to patient ratio of 1 doctor Boroko Foodworld – Boroko, PNG
League. TNRL is appealing the decision per 1000 people. Students already doing Friendly Islands Bookshop – Nuku’alofa, Tonga
to expel the League last February over their degrees will continue to receive Hachette Pacifique – Papeete, French Polynesia
a dispute between players and admin- assistance. National Stationery Supplies – Honiara, Solomon Islands
istration. Tonga is hoping the matter
is ironed out well ahead the Rugby Au revoir Ambassador Fitou Nouvelle Messageries Caledoniennes de Presse – Noumea,
New Caledonia
League World Cup, which is scheduled Is a small city like Suva big enough
to be held in England in October. for two high-level French diplomats? Pacific & Occidental Capelle & Partners – Yaren, Nauru
France’s short-lived Ambassador to Pacific Supplies – Rarotonga, Cook Island
Democracy in action, or just Fiji—he was appointed only at the end Robert Reimers Enterprises – Majuro, Marshall Islands
chaos? of 2019— is already on his way home. South Seas Traders – Alofi, Niue
The upheavals within Fiji’s opposi- Jean-François Fitou apparently got Stop Press – Port Vila, Vanuatu
tion Social Democratic Liberal Party on the wrong side of his predecessor, Yap Cooperative Association – Colonia, YAP, FSM
are a testimony to democracy in Ambassador Sujiro Seam, who is now
action, says the new SODELPA leader Ambassador and Head of the European
Viliame Gavoka. “Often our detractors Union (EU) Delegation for the Pacific.
point to SODELPA as a divided party in
conflict. But the truth is, SODELPA is Whispers is compiled under the supervi-
democratically structured. Compet- sion of the editors

Islands Business, January 2021 9