Fiji looks to a future free of racism, nepotism and privilege.
This was the message by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while delivering his national address at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York earlier this morning.
Bainimarama says that Fiji will soon celebrate national elections for the second time since its return to democracy.
Bainimarama says that today in Fiji and forever, there is no distinctions based on ethnicity, social or religious status and they enforce laws that guarantees equality.
He says that they have reinforced democracy by passing laws that empower girls and women and protect them from violence.
Bainimarama says that they have reformed the education system so it provides real opportunity for all Fijians, regardless of income, whether they live in the capital or the most remote islands and regardless of gender.
The Prime Minister says that Fiji has strengthened its independent institutions which includes the judiciary and the independent commission that protect consumers, fights corruption, provides legal assistance, promotes human rights and carries out many of the activities of government that must be free of political considerations.
Bainimarama says that Fiji also looks to a future where the rights of all persons are guaranteed and enforced by a robust constitution framework that reaffirm civil and political rights as well as social, cultural and economic rights.
He says that we have had our experience with intolerance in Fiji and it was an ugly experience that corroded trust in each other and sense of who we are as a people.
Bainimarama says that in Fiji government has reformed the tax laws to make them simpler and more just and have begun to vigorously enforce tax laws to ease the burden on those who have little and to ensure that who ever need to pay, pays their fair share.
He says people who take risks and mount successful businesses should enjoy the fruits of their hard work, but they must also do their part to sustain the nation as tax cheating is an offence against the people and they will route it out and penalize it wherever it exists.
Bainimarama says that they have also reformed state enterprises to make them profitable and efficient.
