NFP parliamentarian Tupou Draunidalo has been suspended for the remainder of the term of parliament.
28 parliamentarians voted for the motion to suspend Draunidalo while 16 MPs voted against it.
The Parliamentary Privileges Committee had recommended to parliament that Draunidalo be suspended for the remainder of the term of parliament, with immediate effect from today.
Yesterday, Speaker of Parliament Doctor Jiko Luveni had referred a matter to the committee regarding Draunidalo using offensive words in parliament when Education Minister Doctor Mahendra Reddy was speaking in the house on Wednesday.
These are Draunidalo’s comments that was taken up to the committee.
The committee had unanimously found that Draunidalo has contravened the Standing Orders.
It said this is not only a grave and serious breach of privilege but a contempt of parliament.
The Privileges Committee recommended that Draunidalo must formally apologize in parliament while undergoing formal censure.
She must also apologize to the Minister for Education and the people of Fiji before leaving parliament.
The recommendation stated that the apology must reflect the severity of the breach and the fact it has had far-reaching effects and went viral on social media here and abroad.
It further said that Draunidalo’s apology format should also recognize that the Minister for Education did not in fact utter the words “dumb natives”.
The committee said during the period of suspension, Draunidalo is not allowed to enter the parliamentary precincts including the Opposition Office.
NFP parliamentarian Prem Singh had tabled an amended motion for Draunidalo to withdraw her comment “dumb native”, to apologize to Reddy, parliament and the people of Fiji and to be suspended from parliament for 28 days.
The Opposition’s motion was defeated.
Opposition members also walked out as soon as the vote result was announced, confirming Draunidalo’s suspension.
