The President Jioji Konrote says new laws will be introduced and existing laws will be reviewed in this parliamentary session.
While opening the new Parliament session today, Konrote said that the government has an ambitious legislative agenda and it will place a large number of bills before Parliament that will require serious consideration and careful study.
He says most of these bills are intended to continue to modernize the economy, create increased economic opportunity and encourage economic development.
The President says the agenda includes legislation governing traditional knowledge and culture, patents, industrial designs and trademarks.
He says Parliament will deal with changes in public health protection and quarantine.
President Konrote says the financial reforms will cover credit unions, consumer credit, bankruptcy, tariffs and duties and financial management.
He says government will deal with substance abuse and anti‑doping and they will have legislation to reform town planning, land tenancy and subdivision of land.
Konrote says there will be administrative reforms affecting the public enterprises, Fiji Institute of Accountants and registration of practicing engineers.
He says Parliament will review the Financial Management Act, the Consumer Credit Act, the Security Industry Act, the Stamp Duties Act, the Customs Act, the Customs Tariff Act, the Land Transport Act, the Sale of Goods Act, the Bankruptcy Act and the Police Act.
Meanwhile President Konrote says Fijians will be tested in next year’s elections.
He says Parliamentarians will be and should be challenged to contest the elections on the basis of policies, principles and truth.
He says elections will be held some time between April and November next year.
Konrote says this will be the country’s second elections under the constitution and will be the first time the government elected under the constitution will go to the people to defend its record and the Opposition parties will try and convince the people that they can do better.
The President says although it might be tempting on the eve of the elections, they will be tested not to descend to ethnic profiling, race baiting and lies.
Konrote says elections must be contested over policies not ethnicity, religion or geography.
