New MP thanks voters and family

For Alitia Bainivalu, being elected into Parliament is a blessing that she is trying to soak in. In the 2022 General Election final results, five women made it into Parliament, two of whom are new. Ms Bainivalu contested the election under The People’s Alliance party.

She joins another new face in Parliament, Sashi Kiran, who contested under the National Federation Party (NFP).

They were part of the induction ceremony held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday.

Ms Bainivalu describes her journey as “hectic” because everything she has endured along the way was all new to her.

“I am grateful and thankful for God’s provision and guidance and the support from my family has been so wonderful,” Ms Bainivalu said.

The 41-year-old is ready for the new challenges and responsibilities she would face.

“Like they say, you don’t know until you try it,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to it, whatever the responsibilities are going to be, and the challenges ahead.”

Ms Bainivalu, who is from Nabalabala, Saivou, Ra, is a mother of five children.

Prior to joining politics, she worked under the Ministry of Fisheries for eight years.

In 2017, she was awarded with a scholarship by the Government of Japan to upgrade her qualification. She returned with a Master’s degree in Marine Science.

Ms Bainivalu studied in Japan for three years, and in 2022 when she returned, she worked under the Opposition chamber for about two and a half years as a research officer.