PA-NFP-SODELPA officially sign Coalition Agreement

The Coalition Agreement between the People's Alliance, National Federation Party and SODELPA has been officially signed by the leaders of the three parties this morning.

According to the Agreement, the parties acknowledge the principle that agreements between political parties in a democracy is not legally binding and depends on mutual respect, understanding, cooperation, good faith and for the greater good of Fiji's democracy.

It says there will be no more than 20 ministers where the Prime Minister will be a member of the PA and there will be three Deputy Prime Ministers, one from NFP, SODELPA and PA.

The SODELPA Ministers will hold the portfolios of Education, Tourism and Civil Aviation and i-Taukei Affairs.

According to the Agreement, Ministerial portfolio allocations remains the prerogative of the Prime Minister provided consultation takes place with Coalition partners.

The position of Acting Prime Minister shall be by rotation amongst the three Deputy Prime Ministers.

The Agreement states if any SODELPA Minister resigns from Parliament and is replaced by a member of his or her own party as an MP, the proportionate allocation of portfolios shall be maintained and the new SODELPA MP shall be offered Ministerial portfolios after appropriate discussion with the SODELPA MPs.

According to the Agreement, SODELPA’s priority issues as a condition of entering into Coalition Agreement includes re-establishment of the Great Council of Chiefs within 12 months of the date of signing the Agreement, the Government will consult widely on the setting up of a process of review the 2013 Constitution and consider amendments, the Government will review and where necessary repeal and appropriately amend all Decrees and Acts enacted since 2006 which touch and concern the land, natural resources, institutions and governance of the iTaukei within 24 months from the date of signing of Agreement and the Government will open a diplomatic mission in Israel with 24 months of signing the Agreement.

Other SODELPA priorities include abolishment of the TELS and Toppers Scheme, waive and forgive all TELS student debt and replace the current TELS agreements with a merit-based scholarship scheme for everyone who qualifies to enter a registered tertiary institution, subject to a proper employment needs assessment, settlement of the $90 million owed by the Government to the USP, commence a comprehensive review of the taxation system with a view to simplify the tax regime, broaden the tax base and improve sharing of national wealth within 100 days of signing of Agreement, facilitating increased budgetary allocations for capital grants under the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, permanent tenures of civil servants below Permanent Secretary level and an increase in the retirement age of the civil servants from 55 to 60.

The leaders of the Coalition parties have agreed that the Government will immediately set up a Cabinet Committee to address these priority issues which are consistent with SODELPA objectives, to be achieved not less than 12 months from the date the Government takes office.

The Committee will consist of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, Minister of Finance, the Attorney General and all SODELPA Ministers.

The Agreement also states that SODELPA shall be entitled to recommend individuals for appointment for diplomatic missions, all boards of statutory authorities, all government companies and independent statutory commissions, subject always to necessary academic and/or professional qualifications, merit, character and with due regard to gender representation.

It states there will be one appointee to all boards of statutory bodies and Government-owned companies, one nominee to be submitted for consideration for appointment to the Electoral Commission, the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, the Public Service Commission, subject always to the constitutional requirements for such appointment and up to 5 diplomatic missions including but not limited to United Kingdom, Washington DC, Roving Ambassador to Pacific Island nations.

The Agreement states the Coalition Committee will meet monthly in any event and more frequently if required to ensure all parties are aware of and kept informed of all relevant Government business and discuss in good faith and resolve disputes or differences by consensus in recognition of the principles.