Winston Thompson - a champion of good governance
He will not allow anything to compromise his position even if he becomes unpopular because of it.
If anyone will uphold the law and good governance, it’s Winston Thompson. There is no indication nor reason that it has ended, or it is about to end for the Pro-Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific in the centre of a jobs row that had gone toxic.
It’s the hallmark of the former career civil servant and diplomat who plays by the book.
Mr Thompson has stood firm despite the protest against the suspension of the Vice-Chancellor because he is following the governance issues.
A lot of emotions have been expressed in this dispute and there are perceptions and allegations from either side that must be checked out and verified.
As a starting point, the governance principles and protocols must be respected. That puts everyone on equal ground and ensures that all those implicated are accorded natural justice and a fair go. Mr Thompson is the custodian of these processes and as long as he sticks to the rules the outcome should reveal the truth. All indications are he will do exactly that. He has the credentials backed by a wealth of experience.
His last big appointment before he joined USP was when he took office as Fiji’s Ambassador to the United States in 2009.
Before he became a diplomat Mr Thompson served as chief executive of Telecom Fiji Limited (19952005), Secretary for the Public Service (1992--1994), Permanent Secretary of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Energy (1991--1992), Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations (1985-1991), Secretary for the Public Sector Commission (1983-1985), Permanent Secretary for Finance (1975¬-1983), Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests (1973¬1978) and Director of Agriculture (1970¬-1973). He joined the Department of Agriculture in 1962 as an
Agricultural Officer.
Mr Thompson was a Prime Minister’s appointee as a Senator in the Parliament of Fiji from June 1996 to September 1999. Other appointments held have included chairman National Marketing Authority, chairman Fiji Pine Commission, chairman, Fiji Museum Board of Trustees, Chairman, Fiji Hardwood Corporation and a number of board directorships.
Mr Thompson has been awarded the Order of Fiji Civil Service Medal and Fiji Independence Medal (1970 and 1995).
Mr Thompson was born in Yasawa and educated in Fiji, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago and Australia.