Legislations under the spotlight

THE Attorney-General’s Office has identified 37 legislations that will be reviewed and amended in their first 100 days in Government.

A-G Siromi Turaga revealed most of these laws were related to the iTaukei people and needed review because minimal or no consultation was conducted when they were introduced and passed in Parliament.

“Some of the laws like Bill 17, our office was not consulted,” Mr Turaga said.

“The TLTB Office was not consulted, and very soon we are going to find out where it came from, who drafted them and the motive behind it.

“We will soon find out and when we do, we will disclose this information to the people of Fiji. They need to know.

“How can you make laws that affect the rights of the iTaukei when you don’t even consult them? “Unimaginable!”

Mr Turaga said he had meetings with the iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu on these specific laws and has also directed his staff to look at the amendments and consult him accordingly.

He also said that it was pretty sad to note that iTaukei issues were not holistically addressed by the previous government.

“We have identified 37 legislations that concern the iTaukei so the thrust of the program will be on those 37 legislations.

“They will have to be identified, whether they need to be repealed altogether or amended, so they are relevant to the iTaukei people.

“The stakeholders were not consulted, some of the Government departments were not consulted, and some may have gone through minimal consultation while some may not.”

Mr Turaga said Standing Order 51 was used by the previous government to pass these laws without consultation.

The voice of the Opposition was also not taken into account.

“Whatever the objections moved by the Opposition, they weren’t considered.

“The law-making process is quite extensive. It’s about consultations.

“Once a Bill is enacted, it represents diverse views.

“Unfortunately, that can’t be said for the laws introduced by the previous government.”

BEACHCOMBER understands how complex some things in Fiji can be. An example surfaced on social media the other day. This is what the post said: “Here in Australia you can open a bank account with just a passport and you can just do it online from home.

“In Fiji, you need a JP, pundit, principal, my boss, my boss mother, 2 references,

2 people who have account with dem already, your neighbour’s number and the approval from God.”

True or false?