Heated Exchange Marks Debate
It was clear yesterday that the battle line was drawn in Parliament. The Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama launched the case for the Government in the opening salvo of the debate on the President’s address when the new Parliament year opened last week. Opposition leader Sitiveni Rabuka raised the tempo with a scathing attack on the “ungracious” speech by the President Jioji Konrote. He blamed Government for writing it and called for fresh election and for the PM to resign “for failing the people.”
Government MPs followed in Mr Bainimarama’s footsteps outlining Government’s achievement and criticising the Opposition for its negative contribution.
It got so heated at one point that a point of order was called twice against Selai Adimaitoga, the Assistant Minister for iTaukei Affairs by SODELPA MPs Niko Nawaikula and party president Ro Filipe Tuisawau. She accused Mr Nawaikula of misleading Parliament.
The incident was unprecedented in the debate over the President’s address. Under the convention, MPs are usually uninterrupted when they deliver their 20-minute response. Before the debate, Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau had explained the procedures and the time allocated for each speaker. There would be warning buzzer to indicate their allotted time was about to expire.
But during the speeches there were interjections from both sides of the House prompting Ratu Epeli to call for order.
Mr Bainimarama focused on the young people and what the future held for them. He also fired a broadside at the Opposition for going against his Government’s efforts to establish a united Fiji of equal citizenry. He told them they were wasting their time because the young Fijians didn’t have time to waste listening to petty spats in Parliament. He said they wanted jobs, specialised degrees, access to new technology, stability and consistency. He said the young people wanted a Government that listened, cared and did not mislead them. Mr Rabuka said: “Our government has not been gracious and has been failing the people of Fiji, and I call on the Prime Minister to do the honourable thing (if he can find it in himself) and resign, advise his Excellency the President to call for fresh election, so that the people of Fiji can give a fresh mandate to its representatives to bring this country and its people out of the political doldrums and economic precipice we are in and stand on.” It was apparent they were following a script. Opposition Whip Lynda Tabua, Salote Radrodro, Ro Teimumu Kepa, Inosi Kuridrani and Anare Jale made similar calls. Ro Teimumu and Mr Kuridrani attacked the PM on his overseas trip daily allowance. Mr Kuridrani claimed it was $3000 a day. Mr Bainimarama said it was not true and asked them to provide the evidence. “Who receives that kind of money? He asked.
Yesterday’s proceedings set the tone for the rest of the week.