It’s A Shame That Opposition Defies Parliamentary Processes, Making A Mockery of Them

The committee recommended that they apologise to Parliament, each other and the Speaker. If they refused they would be suspended for six months.

Parliament yesterday lost a golden opportunity to rise above the political bitterness over an incident between two leaders. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama last night apologised to National Federation Party president Pio Tikoduadua, Parliament and Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau for his inappropriate conduct in an alleged assault incident.

Mr Tikoduadua said it was against his principle, conscience and honour to apologise because he told the truth. He said when he told Mr Bainimarama to clean his house first, he did not mean the PM’s family whom he knew very well.

To make matters worse, all the Opposition MPs present walked out after their motion to suspend the PM for two years was defeated 27-23.

It was a shame that the Opposition rejected the Privileges Committee report that Mr Bainimarama and Mr Tikoduadua breached the privilege rule. The committee recommended that they apologise to Parliament, each other and the Speaker. If they refused they would be suspended for six months.

Mr Tikoduadua is suspended for six months for his defiance.

It is sad that it has came to this.

Even if he said he did not do anything wrong, Mr Tikoduadua would have brought this matter to a closure if he had apologised and the two reconciled.

It would have had a positive impact on national unity. But he chose to go the other way not believing that Mr Bainimarama was sincere in his offer of apology because the PM did not go directly to him. But he had remained in Parliament, he would have heard Mr Bainimarama say sorry to him.

He also claimed he reported the matter to the Police because of the response from the Speaker on where he could take his complaint to.

His choice is his prerogative and he says he is prepared for the consequences. Obviously, he has been influenced by NFP colleagues, leader Biman Prasad and Lenora Qereqeretabua.

It is unfortunate that the SODELPA Opposition reps in the committee Mosese Bulitavu and Adi Litia Qionibaravi did not sign the Privileges Committee report. After initially boycotting it saying the alleged incident should not be discussed there, they changed their mind.

The conduct of the Opposition makes a mockery of the parliamentary processes.

Even though they boycotted Parliament since Monday the NFP MPs appeared before the committee and attended yesterday’s sitting only to walk out with their SODELPA allies.

Their next battle is likely to put pressure on Police investigation because it is unfinished business. It was the reason they rejected the Privileges Committee report. If the matter was sorted out in Parliament it would have weakened their complaint to the Police.

What was not clear last night was whether the Opposition MPs would also boycott the Standing Committee meetings. They will forfeit their allowances if they do. Would they also forego their overseas parliamentary trips?

Will their defiance of parliamentary processes continue? Time will tell.