The focus should be on getting through the COVID-19 crisis, not name-calling, and not trying to push through the bill to amend the iTaukei Land Trust Act without consultation - Tabuya

SODELPA Whip, Lynda Tabuya says the focus should be on getting through the COVID-19 crisis, not name-calling, and definitely not trying to push through the bill to amend the iTaukei Land Trust Act without full consultation with the iTaukei landowners and the iTaukei Land Trust Board.

While responding to the Prime Minister’s comments, Tabuya says they have never used the word ‘Kai Idia’ while raising concerns about the bill.

Tabuya says this issue is about the rights of the landowners, and there is nothing racist about it.

According to the bill, Section 12 of the iTaukei Land Trust Act states that it is unlawful for a lessee under the Act to alienate or deal with the land comprised in the lease, whether by sale, transfer or sublease or in any other manner without the consent of the iTaukei Land Trust Board.

The iTaukei Land Trust (Budget Amendment) Bill 2021 seeks to amend the Act to remove the requirement of obtaining the consent of the iTaukei Land Trust Board for any mortgage, charge, pledge or caveat on a lease under the Act or for any such lease to be dealt with by any court of law or under the process of any court of law.

Tabuya says the consent of the iTaukei Land Trust Board on behalf the iTaukei landowners should not be removed for these issues

If passed by Parliament next week, the amending legislation will come into force on 1st August 2021. The Act comes under the responsibility of the Minister responsible for iTaukei Affairs.