Calls made to fix Parliament delays, space shortages, and boost resources

Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Standing Committee Chair, Lenora Qereqeretabua, has called for urgent reforms to strengthen parliamentary oversight and operations, including setting deadlines for report reviews and addressing space constraints.

While speaking on the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji 2022–23 annual report, the chairperson of the Standing Committee Qereqeretabua highlighted some key recommendations including amending Standing Orders to set deadlines for reviewing reports, resolving long-standing office space shortages, implementing an annual training calendar for MPs and staff, strengthening staff retention measures, fast-tracking a job evaluation exercise and whistleblower policy.

Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu says the report highlights that out of 69 annual reports tabled, only nine have been reviewed, with 55 still pending before various Standing Committees.

He says this delay undermines Parliament’s critical role in oversight and he strongly supports the recommendation to amend the Standing Orders to introduce mandatory timelines for committee review of referred reports.

Seruiratu adds their accountability to the people depends on timely scrutiny of public institutions.

Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa says Parliament is facing serious space constraints, with committees competing for limited meeting rooms, impacting their work. He suggests considering a return to the purpose-built Veiuto Parliament Complex or committing to a long-term infrastructure solution. Ravunawa also requests a tent and chairs on the front lawn for drivers during sitting weeks.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says since they came into government, in the 2022–2023 financial year, they doubled the budget from $8 million to $16 million, and continued to increase it into 2024–2025 and in 2025–2026 budget, they increased it to $17.3 million.

He says this budget is reflected in salaries and allowances and the respect we have provided as part of the resourcing agenda to the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, which was always the practice in previous Parliaments.

Professor Prasad says part of the allocation of the increased budget was to ensure that they equipped this Parliament with appropriate technology, appropriate e-platforms, and making sure that the Parliament staff and the Office of the Speaker are able to deliver these initiatives in a way that reflects proper parliamentary democracy, freedom, and the ability of Members to do their job.

The Deputy Prime Minister says in terms of resources, we are very open and amenable to addressing some of those concerns.