Complaints should be lodged without fear of repercussions - Fiji Law Society

What is the purpose of having investigating power if the commission cannot investigate a complaint if it’s from an anonymous person.

They will become like toothless tigers.

This was highlighted by the Fiji Law Society while giving their submission to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights on the Code of Conduct Bill today.

Society President Laurel Vaurasi stressed that people should be able to freely come and lodge their complaints against anyone they believe have breached the Code of Conduct Bill without fear of repercussions.

Vaurasi says the Code of Conduct is found in all jurisdictions around the world to ensure that public officials and those that are holding offices that tax payers money has funded, are held accountable.

She also stressed that in order to be transparent it is important that the Declaration of Assets should include declarations of children and spouses assets as well.

Vaurasi says that in order to hide their assets, people transfer the assets to other family members’ accounts including their children, spouses, parents and in-laws.