CALL FOR RESPECTFUL DEBATE
PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka believes that respectful discourse will have an impact on inter-ethnic relations of the different communities in Fiji. In echoing the sentiments expressed by the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere during the opening of the 2024 Parliamentary Session last week, PM Rabuka highlighted the point of setting aside differences and striving for the common good of the people.
The Head of Government, speaking in Parliament on Monday this week, explained the work the Coalition Government was doing to align it to the issues raised by President Katonivere in his address. Amongst this was the empowerment of Fijians through financial literacy that led to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, being asked to study the developments in India where even a street-side vendor has an electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) machine.
“We can emulate what Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has done in India by providing access to comprehensive financial literacy supported with the enabling environment and necessary financial resources, we all can make informed decisions about saving, investing, and managing our finances effectively,” Prime Minister Rabuka said. On the move towards encouraging bipartisanship on matters of national importance, he said, “We must all recognise that climate change is a crosscutting issue and is an existential threat to our very survival and identity”. “This is the very reason I strongly support a bipartisan approach in addressing all issues relating to climate change because it requires ‘all hands-on deck’,” PM Rabuka said.
To ensure inclusivity, he said as part of the commitment to good governance and empowerment of local communities, the Government will work towards the review of the Banaban Settlement Act, put into action plans to hold elections for the Rabi Island Council and complete the naturalisation for Rabi and Kioa islanders.
“At the same time, we will urgently address the socio-economic needs of the Melanesian Vasu-i-Taukei community,” PM Rabuka added.
On the work of the civil service, he said the Ministry of Civil Service through the Public Service Commission has amended the civil service open meritbased recruitment and selection guidelines by regularising acting appointments of officers acting on the position for more than six months.
“Amendments have also been implemented to relevant civil service guidelines that will allow Ministries to increase the salaries of its deserving officers based on their performance.” In Parliament this week, Cabinet Ministers and Assistant Ministers will be deliberating on the President’s address which highlighted issues pertinent to their portfolios.