Any changes to laws affecting iTaukei land should be widely consulted and decided on by the iTaukei landowners – Prof. Prasad

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says any changes to laws affecting iTaukei land should be widely consulted and decided on by the iTaukei landowners.

While speaking during the debate to repeal the iTaukei Land Trust Budget Amendment Act commonly known as Bill 17, Professor Prasad says NFP began in the 1960s as a party representing tenant farmers but they have always respected the rights of indigenous people to their land.

He says they have always recognized that matters concerning iTaukei land are matters for the iTaukei.

Professor Prasad says consultations must be done at all times but it was not the style of the Fiji First government and the amendments rushed through parliament in July 2021 were an example of the “My Way or the Highway” rule.

He further says it was an act of arrogance and utmost disrespect of the worst type.

Professor Prasad says ever since independence, all governments and all mainstream political parties have respected the primacy of land rights for Fiji’s indigenous people.

The Deputy Prime Minister says the then government railroaded this amendment under the Standing Order 51 with no consultation whatsoever with the Act's primary stakeholders who are the iTaukei customary land owners.

He says it was at those moments it became clear to the nation that their parliamentary privilege and their views on Bill 17 as elected representatives of the people, were meaningless to the Opposition side and all their minions enabling this, who were then so drunk on power.

Professor Prasad says if they look back to the Hansard of the debate that occurred on Friday, 30th July 2021, the justification from the other side fooled no one, least of all the people of Fiji.

In his right of reply, Attorney General Siromi Turaga says for once they have someone who understands the land tenure system and the value of the land.

He says the issue of this Bill is some administrative problems regarding delays and the answer to that is administrative so a system should be created within the TLTB to fast track the delay but the FijiFirst government created a new law.

The iTaukei Land Trust Budget Amendment Act has been repealed in parliament without any contribution from the Opposition during the debate.

The Opposition also did not vote.