Two Opposition MPs head Parliamentary Committees

Opposition Member of Parliament, Viliame Naupoto has been elected as the Chairperson for the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence while the Deputy Speaker and Assistant Minister for Housing and Local Government, Lenora Qereqeretabua is the Deputy Chairperson.

Naupoto was honoured to be elected as the Chairperson and looks forward to carrying out his responsibilities.

Opposition MP, Inia Seruiratu was also elected as the Chairperson for the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and the Assistant Minister for i-Taukei Affairs, Isikeli Tuiwailevu is the Deputy Chairperson.

The Assistant Minister for Finance, Esrom Emmanuel is the Chairperson for the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna is the Deputy Chairperson.

The Assistant Minister for Tourism, Alitia Bainivalu is the Chairperson for the Standing Committee on Social Affairs and Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure is the Deputy Chairperson.

The Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna is the Chairperson for the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs and the Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Sashi Kiran is the Deputy Chairperson.

Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has said that 68 Annual Reports, one Treaty and 21 Committee Reports are pending with the respective Standing Committees. The six Standing Committees are responsible for examining Bills referred by the Parliament; examine subordinate legislation tabled in Parliament; scrutinise the operations of government departments; consider petitions and papers presented; review international treaties and conventions ratified by the Government and perform any other functions and duties as conferred.

Five Standing Committees have met and the sixth Standing Committee, the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights will meet later today.