It is concerning that the PM did not know about the Draft Police Bill - Gavoka

SODELPA Leader, Viliame Gavoka says Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama must hold himself accountable following the government’s decision to retract all consultations being carried out with respect to the Draft Police Bill 2020 especially after allowing the draft bill to be introduced to the public.

Gavoka says it took the Prime Minister exactly two weeks to make public pronouncements against the draft bill and one wonders how he can discharge duties of the office considering his statement reported by the media that neither the Solicitor General nor cabinet endorsed the draft bill.

The SODELPA Leader says it is of serious concern that a head of government is not even aware of what his Ministers are doing let alone carrying out consultations for a draft bill that heavily infringes on people’s fundamental human rights.

He says the “blame game” and the “someone else’s fault” syndrome should end.

Gavoka says our people are still recovering from the devastating impacts of TC Yasa, TC Ana, and the global pandemic. He says the government should direct more time and resources on more pressing issues.

The SODELPA Leader says regardless of the decision to retract the draft bill, it does not end here, and they call on the people to continue to vigorously oppose this draconian draft until it is terminated for good.

The Prime Minister says the draft bill was not endorsed by cabinet and the Solicitor General, and some of the contents do not represent government policy. He says what was endorsed was consultation on the old Police Act 1965, not on a Draft Police Bill.