Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. (René Descartes, mathematician and philosopher,1599-1650)

Saturday 31 December 2011

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.
Boxing Day

Boxing Day in Lautoka and people were out and about. Worries and problems were far away as people flocked to Village 4 to watch a 3D movie The Theater was filled to the brim. Lautoka Hotel was full with people buying a food and having a drink. Restaurants that were open were filled with smiling people just sitting, eating and drinking.

And I am guaranteed that life is really carrying on in Fiji while our neighbour big brothers put in place little sanctions here and there.  And as I saw the faces I said, “These people probably couldn’t care less about the bans and sanctions.”

Yes, life carries on in Fiji.

Fiji has moved on and Australia must play by the new rules

By: Michael O'Keefe

From: The Australian  December 29, 2011 12:00AM
 
A KEY assumption underlying Australian foreign policy towards Fiji may prove to be false. Even if sanctions are lifted, Fiji may not welcome Australia with open arms. Australia now faces a mature and confident Fiji across the negotiating table and elements in the Fijian government are truly "looking north".

Fiji's Human Rights Situation in 2011.

By Matilda Bogner*
 As part of a series of articles to mark International Human Rights Day, 10 December 2011, Matilda Bogner, OHCHR Regional Representative for the Pacific, writes that Fiji is yet to show progress in implementing significant commitments made during a UN human rights review of the country. Incidents in 2011 have continued to raise human rights concerns. However, there is potential to improve and show progress before Fiji comes back for review in 2014.

SUVA, Fiji (OHCHR Regional Office for the Pacific, Dec. 16, 2011) - In 2010, Fiji appeared before the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in Geneva and made a series of commitments to progress human rights in the country. Fiji was participating in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process that reviews the human rights record of all UN Member States. Fiji accepted 97 of 103 recommendations.

Serulagilagi Pleased with 2011


(Friday 30th December, 2011 No:2316/PSC) PSC PLEASED WITH 2011 OUTCOMES
In terms of its contribution to reforms, changes and improvements in service delivery during 2011, the Public Service Commission is indeed highly satisfied and pleased.

PSC chairman Mr Josefa Serulagilagi made the comments as the commission reflected on its achievements for the year.

Mr Serulagilagi said the civil service had a workforce of nearly 27,000 and obviously this was a large workforce, given the size of our country and the limited fiscal resources at our disposal.

The salaries and wages bill in the civil service constitutes 37 per cent of total revenue, and 42 per cent of total operating expenses of the State. In accordance with international standards, these statistics are considered high.

Mr Serulagilagi stated that “while there have been mixed results so far, in terms of reducing the size of the civil service, or for that matter attaining a reduction in its operating costs, I can confidently say that we have been able to contain the growth in both these areas.  In the last three years, the size of civil service has not increased whatsoever.”

“We have also been able to contain the wages and salaries bill and operating costs of the service through the stringent imposition of certain controls and improved reporting, monitoring and compliance.”

The chairman said these were commendable achievements because the unchecked increases in the size and costs of the civil service of the past were now no longer in existence.

The commission over the last 12 months has placed major emphasis on human resource development; improving ethics and discipline; organisational reviews to determine core roles, functions and optimum size of government ministries and departments; and improving efficiencies and productivity throughout the civil service.

“These are areas where magic formulas do not exist and where overnight results cannot be obtained,” Mr Serulagilagi said.

“I, however, can say with confidence that the building blocks have been firmly put in place, and there exists a vast reservoir of political commitment from Government to effect the best from these vital  changes and reforms.

“The year 2012 will see the PSC working on maximizing gains from the reforms implemented up to this point in time. The commission will delve deeper into effecting changes to bring about increased levels of efficiency and productivity. It will prioritise the finalisation of the framework and related details for progressing the implementation of a productivity-based pay system in 2013.”  

As the year comes to an end, the PSC chairman conveyed his appreciation to all public servants for their continued commitment and hard work towards achieving the targets set in ministries, departments and agencies as part of their respective Corporate Plans and Individual Work Plans.  

He also offered his well wishes to all civil servants and their families for continued success in their personal and professional lives in 2012.

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Is this the Way Fiji May Go?

(Wednesday 28th December, 2011 No:2307/MOFA) OFFICER GRADUATES FROM RESILIENCE INSTITUTE
Superintendent Sakiasi Tamani of the Fiji Police Force recently completed a 13-month course organized by the National Resilience Institute of Indonesia.

Superintendent Tamani, who graduated this month from the institute, joined participants from 13 countries to undergo the ‘Regular Training Course’ which took place between March and December this year. Prior to this, participants attended a mandatory Indonesian language course in September last year.

The institute serves as a think-tank for the President and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia. It is also a non-department government institution subordinate and responsible to the President.

A statement issued by Fiji’s Embassy to Indonesia reports that the institute has a vision to create national leaders who dare to maintain a robust, comprehensive, integral and holistic national integrity based on the nation’s ideology namely Pancasila [The Five Principles/Pillars of the Indonesian Society], the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and the principle of unity in diversity.

The establishment of Lemhannas was a response to the strategic development nationally and internationally, which suggested the need for integration and close cooperation and dynamics between civilians, the military and the police as well as heads of the national private sectors, leaders or political organizations and social organizations to ensure proper state governance.

The establishment of Lemhannas is also to fulfill one national urgent need in the efforts to safeguard and preserve the national ideals, the goal of the nation and sustainability of the nation amidst political games in the world.

Their main task is to carry out government tasks in the field of Strategic Studies on various national as well as international issues required by the President and the decision makers of the national policies; and in the sector of education to prepare cadres of potential leaders at the national level, ensuring the national leadership as having the mindset, attitude and action in a solid, comprehensive and integrated manner.

Monday 26 December 2011

.PM's Christmas Message

Let's renew our commitment, says PM

December 25, 2011 11:54:24 AM
As Fiji celebrates Christmas today, Prime Minister Commmodore Voreqe Bainimarama has urged all citizens to renew their commitment to the future of the country

In his Christmas message to the nation, Commodore Bainimarama said with a renewed commitment, Fiji will benefit from full social and gender equality and become a nation that protects the welfare and livelihood of all of its citizens and a nation that unitedly moves to strengthen its economy and modernalise along a progressive timeline.

"We, as a nation have accomplished many great things in 2011 and look forward to a holiday season and a New Year filled with joy, steeped in hope and surrounded by family," he said.

"This is a time when families and friends get together in warmth and happiness to remember the birth of Christ and the promises he brought to a troubled world- a world not unlike our own in this time with conflict and unrest.

"Always, and especially during the holidays, we must be concerned with the welfare of our fellow man and ensure that all members of the society experience the true spirit of the Christmas season."

"As this year comes to an end, we as Fijians can look across our great and developing nation with a sense of accomplishment."

"Most importantly, we celebrate a shared humanity among all Fijians from rural areas, to city centres and throughout our many islands," he added.

Saturday 24 December 2011

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.


Leased Vehicles

Government has received 132 new motor vehicles under the new lease arrangement and it will cost us $10 million. I believe the leasing a vehicle is better then buying a new one, because it is cheaper. is it?

May I suggest that all government vehicles in whatever department or organisation has them are maintained to the highest standards. There have been times when I see a vehicle with a GN number plate and marvel. I say to myself, that the department must have made a profit to be able to buy a new car. Then a few months later I hear a vehicle rattle pass me bellowing black smoke and I cringe and say, “Oh the poor car.”

If the car could talk it would wheeze back and say, “Blame my manager.”

Efficiency is the name of the game. And if possible, could I have a look at the 132 leased vehicles in say a months time?

Interests and Values in NZ's Pacific Foreign Policy

New Zealand International Review January – February 2012
Interests and values in foreign policy: a practitioner’s view 

Gerald McGhie* critiques an aspect of Professor Robert Ayson’s inaugural lecture, focusing on the Pacific.

Diplomacy relies on an informed calculation of consequences, which in turn are guided by a comprehensive and on-going appraisal of national interests and values. The role of values is not to provide abstract and universal principles for New Zealand’s foreign policy decisions. It is rather to illuminate and control conceptions of the national interest. In the Pacific, where New Zealand, unusually, is a major player, the closest attention must be paid to the essential balance between interests and values.

Fiji Human Rights in Perspective

2010 Human Rights Reports: Fiji
(US) Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

My thanks to Fiji Today from whose website I have uplifted this report. Readers will note that things are not perfect in Fiji. Some human rights matters have improved, some have worsened and some have not changed.-- Croz

Ten Pillars of the Charter: Some Observations

By Dr Sanjay Ramesh 
Dr. Sanjay Ramesh is an honorary research fellow at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney. His email is sanjay.ramesh@sydney.edu.au.

Friday 23 December 2011

PM on Land Use and Landowners: Speaking at Tropik Wood Mill Opening

A Very Happy Christmas to all readers. Let us continue to  hope that the moderation, positivism, balance and good intentions shown by contributors to this blog have some influence in the year ahead on those who are shaping Fiji's future.

CHRISTMAS WEEKEND READING
• Allen Lockington column
• Fiji Human Rights in Perspective
• Interests and Values in NZ's Pacific Foreign Policy by Gerald McGhie
• Ten Pillars of the People's Charter: Some Observations by Sanjay Ramesh

Thursday 22 December 2011

News and Comments Thursday 22 December 2011

22.12.11
 Try looking at the blog differently.  Click Flipside view at the top of the side column.

Government twittering on. Government recently launched a Twitter page with the handle @FijiRepublic . This page
In addition to Twitter, Government has expanded his social media outreach to YouTube .  The PM (@FijiPM) and Attorney-General (@FijiAG) have also launched their own pages. These developments seem to be a result of the new Government PR consultancy. While welcome, they can never be a substitute for informed interaction with the public which will only be attained when PER is lifted, and we see the print and voice media publish substantial articles on issues of public concern. With the PM and AG, of course, having the right of reply!

The UNDP Direcor in Fiji launched the National Policy Framework for the Elderly yesterday.  Another launch, on Wednesday. will mark the completion of the Badrau SquatterDevelopmnent in Ba. More information will be published if and when it comes to hand.

Dr Wadan Narsey has rubbished a claim that Fiji's life expectancy is dropping, partly due to coups, saying the claim is based on faulty data. I made the same statement a week ago. It's nice to be in agreement for a change!

How to reduce the rich-poor gap. "Any policy strategy to reduce the growing divide betweeen rich and poor should rest on three main pillars: more intensive human capital investment; inclusive employment promotion; and well-designed tax/transfer redistribution policies" -- OECD.

Australia is largest bilateral aid donor. Most of the US$36 (up from US$18m) aid will go to assisting health, education and the rural poor.

Vatukoula Gold Mine is to build a US$90 million power station powered by sugar cane waste that will also provide electricity to the Rarawai sugar mill at Ba. Vatukoula will partner with the Fiji Sugar Corporation, whose chairman Abdul Khan says the benefits for the FSC will be enormous - reducing electricity costs and providing a use for cane crushing waste. -- RNZI.

Electoral legitimacy. Government says it will ensure that the issue of legitimacy for the new electoral system is addressed before the next elections. Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said legitimacy has been gained through the general acceptance of a particular principle or value in many other countries, and this will be the same in Fiji. Sayed-Khaiyum said the process is from the acceptance of the People’s Charter to the consultations on the new constitution and then having the new electoral system in place.

Election preparation update. Ratu Tevita Mara's earlier attacks on the regime in regard to electronic voting are all baseless. The Government wants to introduce Electronic Voter Registration (EVR), on which there has already been a lot of work done, not electronic voting.

Electronic voting was rejected to avoid the sort of accusations that Mara was making. Voting needs to be transparent with no possible mechanical tampering with results. This does not mean that voting will be spread over days. The intention is to complete voting and counting in one day. The Electoral Office has gone to substantial trouble to check out all the registration centres, which it also intends to use as polling (and probably counting) stations to ensure this will be possible. It may not be possible, of course, if  a more complicated voting system is implemented  than that proposed in the Charter, but so far things are on course. Government has set aside a suitable amount of  money in the 2012 budget for implementation of EVR and the beginning of registration next year.

A Voice from Facebook.  "I'm finding it difficult to comprehend all the Ratu's and Adi's calling for democracy now. Is it time for Fijian people to vote for their chiefs? Installing people that demonstrate to their people with real life actions that they are more deserving of the title than some that are born into and benefit from their genetics yet give little back in real terms. How democratic do these people really want to get?"

This from a reader. "One thing is certain. This government will not allow to be elected the kind of people - i.e supporters of coup 4.5- who will dismantle the policies, reforms, infrastructure that they have put in place, and will have put in place by 2014. They are playing for keeps, not for fun. Consider, for example,  the latest policies on the education of children in isolated villages. Would a dictator like Gadafi, with whom the PM has been compared by buffoons on coup 4.5, consider such humanitarian ideas? There is no way Bainimarama will allow such projects to be ignored or neglected by the government that is elected in 2014. 

"Much needs to be done before the elections. Children are still walking for miles to schools and having to live in hostels from the age of five or six. Sanitary conditions in villages need to be upgraded for that sector of the previously neglected electorate whose votes were so valuable for urban-based political manipulators. Australia and New Zealand (not so much the US and China) want immediate elections with the 'old gang' among the candidates. But elections must be on our terms, not theirs. It is most likely that this government is preparing its own team - not all military - to contest the next elections.  And so they should!"

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Democracy and the Fijian Chiefly System

  Democracy and the Fijian Chiefly System: 
Pragmatism, Compatibility and Contradictions*

By Subhash Appanna**
Abstract.
Fiji, once held as a shining example of multi-cultural democracy, is now considered a pariah by most of its traditional “partners” because of what is considered to be “continuing political instability” emanating from coups that have plagued the Pacific island state since 1987 when the gun was first accepted as the instrument of choice to change government within a democratic framework. At the centre of all major political decisions, from 1874 (when Fiji was ceded to Britain) to 2006 (when Commodore Bainimarama took control of government), lay the Fijian chiefly system. This paper critically examines the changing role(s) the Fijian chiefly system has played historically right from the time the chiefs were engaged by beachcombers to establish some sort of a centrally-organized authority in a fragmented Pacific Island (pre-1874), to the signing of the Deed of Cession (1874), to independence in 1970, to the first coup of 1987, through all other coups until 2006 when the Bainimarama government declared itself opposed to the structure of chiefs in Fiji. The paper then provides a provocative in-depth discussion of what role the Fijian chiefly system could play from here onwards or whether it has surpassed its use value for governance in Fiji.

Tuesday 20 December 2011

A-G Responds to Australian Union Allegations

Fiji's stand against threats of 'Hardship"*  

'I love Fiji - as does the president of the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Fijian unions, and business houses, all of whom stand united against individuals and organisations that openly and selfishly seek to disrupt our economy and create 'hardships' for all Fijians.

The Fiji Times, the Chaudhry Government and the Speight Coup: an Analysis


By Thakur Ranjit Singh

On 15th December 2011, I graduated with Masters in Communication Studies (MCS) with Honours from Auckland University of Technology (AUT). My thesis was based on Speight’s coup of 2000 on Chaudhry government.

My choice of thesis was not very difficult, because as a former Publisher of the Daily Post newspaper, I was aware that sections of Fiji media were not fair to Chaudhry’s government. I wanted that to be substantiated by a comprehensive and in-depth content analyses of the Fiji Times (hereafter referred to as FT) during one-year rule of Chaudhry government. 

The analysis showed that FT projected Chaudhry as an “Indian” government which could not be trusted to safeguard the interests of the Fijians. It failed to inform the common people about the safeguards enshrined in the 1997 Constitution which stipulates that no Prime Minister, at his own whim, could implement any changes affecting native land and laws protecting the rights of the indigenous people. FT also allowed a free access and voice to those opposing the government and did not edit treasonable, seditious and hate-speech that were seen as derogatory to others in any civilised democracy or civilised media. 

It appeared that FT had a policy of highlighting the negatives and subduing the positives of Chaudhry government. It presented the government in a bad light, and effectively painted it as dishonest, untrustworthy, corrupt and undeserving as a government led by a “non-believer” and a womaniser.
While Chaudhry himself was also responsible for democracy’s downfall, FT hastened and helped the process. While FT helped create such an atmosphere that was ripe for the removal of the government from means other than democratic, contributory factors from Chaudhry’s style of leadership hastened the process and discouraged any uprising in support of democracy. Had Chaudhry been able to build bridges, especially with the Fijian community and its institutions, such huge support for Speight and the ethno-nationalist elements may not have materialised. 

All the good things about media being a uniting force were rarely seen in FT. If anything, FT lived to its colonial reputation of being anti-Indian since it was established in 1869. While no proof has come to light to substantiate allegations that some sections of the business community contributed to the fall of the People’s Coalition Government, this research indicates enough motives for that to be so and why the business community wished to see Chaudhry go.

The earlier studies on FT have indicated that despite the passage of time, the partisan approach of the newspaper in favour of the elite class has not changed. Times have changed. Even the elites have changed; from the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR), the British government and the colonial Europeans to the indigenous Eastern Fijian chiefs, the Fijian elites and the Indian business community. What has not changed is the credibility of the Propaganda Model which remained steadfast in giving credence to Herman and Chomsky’s (2008) theory on how the media becomes, and in case of FT, continues to be a sympathiser and mouthpiece of the elites, at the cost of its watchdog role.

 ---o0o---

The full thesis, 200 pages plus,  may be downloaded through this link.  -- Croz
http://www.mediafire.com/?2m2xcbs325upe2w

Monday 19 December 2011

Government's Agricultural Policies Beginning to Bear Fruit

(Monday 19th December 2011, No:2263/MOI) AMA FINDS OVERSEAS AND LOCAL MARKET FOR LOCAL PRODUCTS
 In the 2012 National Budget, Government allocated the following to address food security and non-reliance on overseas producers :

·     Export promotion programme $1m
·     Food Security Programme $1m
·     Rural and Outer Island Development Programme (ROI) $1.75m
·     Cocoa Revitalisation $200,000
·     Rice Revitalisation $600,000
·     Cottage Industry $100,000
·     Livestock Rehabilitation $1.5m
·     Dairy Development Programme $2m
Government’s import substitution and export finance facility initiative is “bearing fruit” and allowing local farmers to find a local market for produce that once could only be imported from overseas.  Many imported products have seen an increase in fiscal duty either to give local products an edge and allow local producers to develop their businesses.
Through the Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA), local farmers are venturing into other produce (mainly used by hotels and resorts) which is expected to reduce Fiji’s annual import bill.

News and Comments Monday 19 December 2011

19.12.11    Expert says original Fiji pension scheme unsustainable
An expert who has been brought in to assist Fiji with controversial pension scheme reform says change is long overdue. Changes to Fiji National Provident Fund being made by the interim government include refunds on original sums invested, cuts in payouts and top-ups for pensioners on lower rates. Geoff Rashbrooke, a New Zealand actuary, who specialises in superannuation systems says the current scheme is not sustainable.

He says as far back as 1992 the International Labour organisation warned the dividends were set too high. “If they’d acutally made the changes 10 years ago maybe even 8 years ago they wouldn’t have needed to cut the pension, but it’s now gone on for so long that the adjustment had to be made. They’ve finally addressed something that previous boards and previous governments elected or military regimes have not been prepared to look at.”

Geoff Rashbrooke says the way the system had been operating was a transfer from the poor to the rich.

American congressman commends Fiji’s progress
American congressman Eni Faleomavaega has commended Fiji on the electoral progress towards the 2014 elections and at the same time questioned both Australia and New Zealand on their stand against Fiji. Faleomavaega says Fiji needs the support to carry out reforms which are vital to the future of the country.

He says Fiji has reached a difficult and historic moment in its development from nearly a century of British rule and decades of racial and ethnic conflict, four coups and three constitutions.Faleomavaega who is American Samoa’s delegate to the American House of Representatives highlighted Fiji’s 2012 budget for electoral reforms. He adds it will not solve Fiji’s problems if Australia, New Zealand and the US demand immediate elections and continue to place sanctions.

Fiji business leader says unions had axe to grind
The president of Fiji's Chamber of Commerce has backed the country's military government's move to deport a delegation of Australian and New Zealand trade unionists.The delegation wanted to investigate workers' rights in Fiji, which it claimed to have deteriorated under the Bainimarama regime.

The Chamber's president, Peter Mazey told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat his members would welcome visits by international trade unions, but only if they come with an open mind.

"If the ACTU (Australian Council of Trade Unions) and the NZCTU (NZ Council of Trade Unions) want to come to Fiji, we will certainly talk to them business wise and have them talk to the workers themselves," he said. But he said the delegation had come to Fiji on the attack, which would make it difficult for the government to engage in talks with them.

"They already baited the hook with the threats of what they were going to do," he said. "At the moment, they appear to be dealing with one or two union leaders, who have obviously got themselves offside with the Government, and that's certainly something that we - from a business perspective - don't want to happen.

"It's a shame because, from a business perspective in Fiji, we certainly work with the unions all the time and I don't know any major disputes with the unions".



However ...
ACTU president, Ged Kearney denied the delegation was harbouring biases against the government. "We hadn't even said we actually disagree with them. We wanted to speak with them," she told Pacific Beat."Nevertheless, they have obviously to something to hide. They have obviously got a whole range of issues that they did not want us to be privy to or to see".

When the group arrived at Nadi airport on Tuesday, officials took their phones and passports and sent them back to Australia. "This is a military dictatorship that, simply because you disagree with them, they have a right to turn you around and send you away," she said.

She said she was more determined than ever to expose abuses of the country' workers' rights after her union officials were turned away.

Comment: I find Ms Kearney's denials hard to swallow.  The ACTU had on several occasions declared its anti-Fiji Government stance, and her comments following her eviction ("more determined then ever...") show her mind was, indeed, already made up before she left Australia.
Australian Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd's comment that Fiji's Government had missed an opportunity to show it was not afraid of international scrutiny is in line with all his previous statements on Fiji.  Surely he'snot also claiming his mind  in not made up.

Sunday 18 December 2011

A Reader Comments on John Samy's Reflections

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "John Samy Reflects on the Charter Progress and Whe...":

We can hear a sense of sadness and disappointment in John in this interview. One can understand thisafter his sterling efforts to resurrect Fiji into a modern State for all, only to see his Charter being used as facade of decency to hide behind, and behind it to revert to abuse of power, greed,corruption and plunder even surpassing the deeds of of old. When Frank met John first to genuinely ask for advice and assistance to build a "Better Fiji, apparently his first remarks to Frank was, "But you don't have the mandate to Change". His advice was that mandate can only come from the People. While Frank was never going to return to the much abused Parliaments of old to consult, his advice was to call together an Assembly of the People represented through their political leaders, leaders from the communities, members of his Government who would implement change and the inevitably the military to discuss what was wrong in Fiji, to recognise its festering problems not addressed by previous Governments nor the international community and finally to come up with possible solutions: a consensus and peace building initiative. All were invited but some chose to sulk and to take their bat and ball and go home to cry over spilt milk for the return of their privilege to plunder the country yet again, to use race and hate as a football for power and privilege in a predominantly Christian country. The consultation process continued with some chairs left vacant for the detractors to join anytime they were ready. But the detractors instead hoped for mutiny, insurrection and chaos to redeem them rather than choose dialogue and nation building. The international community, albeit an invitation to support the process, also chose to miss the opportunity for dialogue to effect much change by instead proclaiming "values" from the roof tops in a Fiji where there were no such "values". Out of the nation-wide consultation, the best one possible in the circunstances, emerged the State of the Nation Report and the Charter. These two should be read together. John had completed his mission and left it to the Government of the Day to implement as he was not a part of the Government or the coup, only to see the process of consultation with the people and ownership of change by the people being replaced vry quickly by thuggery and concentration of power. It appears John still beleives that FB had a vision but that he has been deliberatly hijacked by the wily into a dictatorship. He still believes that Frank can get back on track and wants to get back on track to achieve good but this will only happen if he can choose better and listen to good advice from good people. So many opportunities lost, no wonder John is dismayed. Good will prevail. God Bless Fiji and May more John's prevail. May Frank's vision for a "Better Fiji" resurrect. Let us all pray during this Holy Season for such a resurrection

Weekend Reading Spread over Two Days

Friday. 
Subhash Appanna : From Democratic Dictatorship to Democracy in Fiji 
Jioji Kotobalavu : An Argument for Elections, Power Sharing and a Government of National Unity


Saturday
Fr David Arms : An Accountable Electoral System
                                                     Allen Lockington's usual column
John Samy :  Reflections on the People's Charter and What Could Still Go Wrong (video)

SCROLL DOWN TO ACCESS THE READINGS.

Saturday 17 December 2011

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.  
 
Smoking Laws

Right now the legitimate PSV vehicles are under the spotlight. The illegal vans and private cars are yet to be taken to task. I say yet to because it seems only when someone complains then the authorities take action.

But you know what; it is a delight to see members of the enforcement authorities get on a illegal mini van to get into town. Ho boy have I seen them. And how will we get rid of the illegal activities if the authorities themselves use them.

It has been whispered that the authorities cannot book illegal vans and cars because of technicalities. 

Can someone tell me that I’m wrong? And thanks to the authorities for booking people who were smoking in the Lautoka market. The fine is $200 for smoking in a public place. As for the bus that has its engine on just outside the fine is $40. 

Is there something amiss?

John Samy Reflects on the Charter Progress and Where it Could Still Go Wrong

Click  here to download the  video interview made on the fifth annniversary of the 2006 Coup. Following general comments by the interviewer of no special interest to Fiji, John, who some have dubbed the key figure in the People's Charter process, recalls the whats. whens and hows of the Charter, and in the second half of the video, what could still go wrong unless government opens up dialogue.

An Accountable Electoral System

Father David Arms (right)
By Fr. D. G. Arms
For the 13th Attorney-General’s Conference, 2nd & 3rd December 2011

 In discussing the topic An Accountable Electoral System, this paper will look at three different aspects of it. Firstly there is the need for the people as a whole to regard the adoption of a new electoral package as legitimate and desirable. Secondly, there is the need for the various electoral processes, from the registration of voters to the announcing and implementing of the electoral results, to be checkable and transparently fair. Thirdly, there is the need for the actual electoral system itself – how votes are cast, tallied and the results arrived at – to make sense, so that the electorate can feel confident that its voice has been accurately conveyed. The paper will conclude with some extra observations relevant to the theme of accountability.

Friday 16 December 2011

From Democratic Dictatorship to Democracy in Fiji

Paper presented at the 11th Pacific Islands Political Studies Association (PIPSA) Conference, University of Auckland, New Zealand. December 3-4, 2009.


From Democratic Dictatorship to Democracy in Fiji
By Subhash Appana

Fiji has had 5 coups and 5 general elections within a span of some 22 years since 1987 when government was changed for the first time through violent means in the South Pacific. At this point in time Fiji continues to be seen as a pariah state by its more critical and superficially-informed neighbours. This paper critically examines the constitutional frameworks within which Fiji’s elections have taken place in light of coups that have been executed at critical junctures, and argues that both the 1970 and 1997 constitutions, despite having widespread acceptance, were designed to ensure democratic dictatorship under the guise of democracy in the country. This is a critical point that is inadequately appreciated by cynics, commentators, politicians and academics both within and outside of Fiji. The paper concludes by briefly discussing emerging lessons that could be used to make electoral changes that would ensure that Fiji finally has a functioning democracy that would deliver for both the country and its numerous internal as well as external stakeholders.

An Argument for Elections, Power Sharing and a Government of National Unity

By Jioji Kotobalavu


Jioji Kotobalavu is a vastly experienced civil servant who was CEO of the PM's office before he was removed with the 2006 Coup.

Summary of recommendations: (1) Proportional representation, closed party list, NZ model; (2) Government of National Unity; (3) an elected President; (4) Great Council of Chiefs guardian of all communities; (5) Senate, if maintained, appointed by GCC and Cabinet; (6) Political dialogue based on 1997 Constitution, involving PM, interim government representatives and the SDL, FLP and UPP, preferably under an independent overseas chairperson, followed by elections and later consideration of constitutional reform.  The proposals differ from the Government's Roadmap, based largely on the People's Charter, that, step-wise,  seeks dialogue and constitutional reforms (2012), electoral reforms (2013), and elections (2014). No special place is given to the GCC; there may be no Senate, and the extent to which the 'old' parties will participate in dialogue is unclear.

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Australian Support for Fiji Sex Workers?

Journalist Rowan Callick has a way with words. He opens his latest Fiji article in The Australian with: "The army - which has vowed not to consider elections until 2014 - has already moved to subjugate the Methodist church, the chiefs, the trade unions and women's organisations."

Actually, Rowan, it's the de facto Government, and not the army, and if we are concerned with numbers in the institutions you mention, it's five or six Methodist church leaders (nationalist supporters of earlier coups); three or four chiefs (concerned with ethnic Fijian paramountcy and their place in the scheme of things), three trade unionists (longstanding opponents of the Government) and one woman in one woman's organization (I think he refers to Shamima Ali of the Women's Crisis Centre.)

Monday 12 December 2011

Government Statement on Proposed ACTU and NZCTU Intended Visit


Believing What You Want to Believe

I've neglected the blog lately due to a backlog of domestic chores and responsibilities. And my bursitis makes typing for any length of time difficult. So this post is a brief catch-up.

I continue to be amazed (dismayed would be a better word) with the way so many "made up" minds are made up.  It seems that once a thought is triggered and a position adopted on many issues, even educated people think further thought is  unnecessary. If only life was so simple.  Here are a few recent examples of the workings of "made up" minds:

TWO readers read the item that claimed Fijian life expectancies had dropped and that the coups and lack of economic growth were responsible. The first (anti-Bainimarama) reader wrongly concluded that the 2006 Coup was responsible when the figures cited stopped in 2005, a year before the Bainimarama coup.  The second (pro-Bainimarama) reader made rude remarks about foreign experts and asked how the 2006 Coup (he also did not check the dates) could possibly have resulted in an increase in poverty, although the article clearly stated that the relationship was indirect, through a moribund economy.  Neither reader seems to have seen that the article stated there were many interrelated causes, and not just coups. And neither saw my comment that I suspected the figure showing the 70+ year expectancy to be anomalous and probably incorrect. 

EARLIER examples of not seeing what you do not want to see are Dr Jonathon Fraenkel's deductions from the Lowy/Tebbutt poll that showed Bainimarama was supported by nearly two-thirds of the population.  After rubbishing the poll, he went on to ask why if, indeed, the poll was accurate, Bainimarama not lift PER and call an immediate election making it seem that Bainimarama's popularity was the issue, which it is not. False reporting, provoked unrest and physical threats come from a few, and it is these few who lead government to believe it would be unwise to lift PER. Similarly, Bainimarama's popularity has nothing to do with not holding immediate elections. As government has repeatedly made clear, there is a Roadmap and many things to do before elections are held. But, of course, Jonathon knew this.

GOVERNMENT  has given the impression that 90 percent of the population will benefit from the 2012 Budget tax cuts, and its supporters have made much of this claim because they wish it to be so.  But it is, as Fr Barr has pointed out, not so. For some 70% of the population, those below the old $15,000 tax threshold, there will be no difference.

SIMILARLY, the Attorney-General has claimed that lower taxes will result in more investment and economic growth because his training and political views lead him to this conclusion. This is the same logic used by NZ's National Party leader John Key.  But as a speaker on Radio NZ pointed out a few days ago the highest rates of economic growth in the Western world occurred in the 1950s and 1960s when personal and company tax rates were at their highest!

THE proposed fact-finding visit of Australian (and NZ) trade unionist provides another example. Having told the world the "facts" on Fiji, they proposed a visit to see for themselves. In the circumstances, it would seem they expected to find what they had foretold.  Government made it clear that while it would welcome genuine fact-finding visits, a visit from the ACTU (that had already made up its mind) was not welcome. The ACTU then accused Government of concealing the facts, whatever the "facts" may be. The last I heard is that they intended to sneak into the country somehow.

AUSTRALIAN  journalist Paul Howe* wrote a blinkered opinion piece in the  Daily Telegraph on Sunday. It has all the hallmarks of the sort of journalism deplored in Fiji that  made the Media Decree necessary. It is shallow, unresearched, biased and contains a number of factual errors. Education and health spending has not decreased. It has increased considerably over the past few years. The recognition of human rights in some areas leaves much to be desired, but in other areas they are much improved.  Institutional racism is now a crime; all citizens are considered equal irrespective of race, culture and religion; women's and children's  rights have been codified, and much more is being done to with respect to fundamental human rights in housing, empowering and assisting  the poor and marginalised. It is, of course, true that censorship in Fiji has also produced distortions but that's no excuse for overseas journalists.
* I'm informed he's a unionist not a journalist!
TOMORROW or soon, when I've checked the story out,  I hope to have something on the latest allegations: the torturing of sex workers.

Saturday 10 December 2011

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

 Security Forces Pacific Tournament

Now that the Sukuna Bowl is a classic tournament, may I suggest that we (Fiji) have an invitation tournament where all the disciplined forces in the Pacific including Australia and New Zealand, come together in sport and during that tournament we have a meeting of disciplined forces executives to strengthen the Pacific’s  security with reference to terrorism, money laundering, people smuggling, pedophilia, maritime surveillance, peace keeping duties and all in all strengthen the ties of our people.

Pacific Islanders live all over the Pacific and what an opportune time during the Sukuna Bowl for the executives of the disciplined forces to think about devising this Pacific tournament – simply titled – “Discipline, strengthening our ties”.

And then have it every two or three years or whatever is suitable. 

Well it’s a thought, because we usually have the Pacific nations meetings in Fiji from time to time, why not have sporting tournament at the same time.

Reflections on the 2012 Budget by Fr Kevin Barr

Wages Council Chairman Fr Kevin Barr is "sorry to throw a wet blanket over all the euphoria ... about the Budget [and acknowedges its] creative and worthwhile initiatives"  but  ...

 The reaction to the recent Budget announcement for 2012 was generally positive. The Business sector particularly were overjoyed. The pay increases for public servants – especially for the police, doctors and nurses – were welcomed by everyone. The protection of some local industries – in particular those who produce canned fish and exercise books – was a positive move. And the new slightly more positive approach to pensions for those in the FNPF showed that the cries of many pensioners had been heard. Some hoped that the Budget would make it possible for many consumers to have more in their pockets to spend. But ...

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Elections: Avoiding the 'Mistakes' of 2006


The Government will ensure there are proper laws in place to avoid what happened in Fiji during the 2006 elections.

Speaking at the opening of the Attorney-General’s conference at Shangri-La Fijian Resort last Friday, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the European Union’s Report on the 2006
Election highlighted a series of defects, notwithstanding the fact that it said the elections were credible.

“Notwithstanding the fact that they said that there was a voter turnout of 101 per cent in one of the constituencies in Vanua Levu. Notwithstanding the fact that it noted there was no proper reconciliation of ballot boxes, or for that matter ballot papers, in some of the counting sessions,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“We do not want a repeat of 2006. We have to ensure that there are proper laws to stop this from happening again.”

However, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said that there was a lot more fundamental issues, such as ethnic voting, that would not happen in the next election - thanks to the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress.

“Under the 1997 constitution, the principle of one person, one vote and indeed one value was absent,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“The province of Namosi, for example, of approximately 3200 voters voted for one person. The province of Nadroga had 19000 voters approximately and they also voted for one person. Six seats were allocated under the ethnic system for voting for urban and peri-urban indigenous Fijians. Yet 45 per cent of them lived in the urban and peri-urban areas but they were given six seats out of 23.

“On the other hand, Indo-Fijians were allocated 19 seats when they in fact should have received a lower number of seats because their percentage in the population was proportionally lower and that was the principle on which the Reeves Commission had worked out the numbers.

“I am glad to say the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress has mandated the Bainimarama Government to ensure the constitutional consultation, which will commence next year, will not negotiate on ethnic voting,” the Attorney-General added.

-- No:2188/MOI) ETHNIC VOTING TO BE ELIMINATED

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Confusion about Poverty in Fjii by Fr Kevin Barr

SUMMARY. Wages Council Chairman Fr Kevin Barr defines poverty as it affects some 35% of Fiji's population; the Family Assistance Scheme (FAS) that assists the 3-4% who are destitute, and shows how the 2012 Budget has done nothing that directly help the 31-32% of the population that is poor but not destitute. 
  • He shows how the 20% devaluation in 2009 and the 2½% increase of VAT to 15% in 2010 made the poor significantly poorer, and appeals for the lifting of VAT on non-luxury food items.  
  • He agrees that the Budget will make  middle income families better off but shows how  the new $15,600 tax threshold will help only 20-30% of those earning under the threshold.  
  • Government argues that the indirect benefits of the lower tax rates will "trickle down" to the poor by creating new jobs.  Fr Barr says this will only be so if Government passes regulations to ensure reasonable minimum wages. Creating new jobs on wages below the poverty line will merely entrench poverty. Some 60% of workers covered by the Wages Councils are already below the poverty line.-- Croz

For a number of years there has been a number of confusions in the minds of many people concerning the poor. They continue to surface in national budgets, articles on poverty as well as in the conversations of ordinary people. Unless these confusions are clarified then a number of misunderstandings arise which can have serious consequences.

$16m more for health - Fiji Times Online

$16m more for health - Fiji Times Online

Monday 5 December 2011

Life Expectancy Declining?


 A report co-authored by Fiji National Univesity's Prof Graham Roberts claims that Fiji life expectancy (at birth) dropped from 72.9 years in 2000 to 67.8 years in 2005. Comparable 1986 and 1996 figures were 66.9 and 66.6 years.  I found Prof Roberts' reasons for the decline of interest but  respectfully suggest a drop of five years in five years is highly suspect, and most likely caused by faulty statistics, although the sharp increase in lifestyle diseases, particularly heart related, could be a factor. The actual figure for 2000 seems more likely to have been somewhere between the 1996 and 2005 figures. Whatever the actual situation, the report highlighted a number of other important concerns in the Fiji health service.  Today is the 5th anniversary of the 2006 Coup whose effects are not fully traced by the report.

The article below is from PINA, the Pacific Islands News Association. The article and video interview that follows is from ABC's Pacific Beat.  Readers will note the emphasis, first captured in its headline,  to possible political, coup-related, causes,  a theme pursued in the interview.


Fiji's Life Expectancy Decreases
Life expectancy rate in Fiji has declined from 72.9 years to 67.8 years from the year 2000 to 2005, reveals a Fiji Islands Health System Review by the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Polices. The detailed review written by experts from Fiji National University (FNU), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health also found out that 39 per cent of Fiji’s population are below the age of 20. The review also highlighted 61 per cent of the countries population live in the urban areas.

According to Dr Graham Roberts one of the writers of the review the out-of-the-pocket medical expenditure for people in Fiji increased from 11.9 per cent to 15.5 per cent between the years 2005 to 2008 and 22 per cent in 2010. The review also highlighted that the cost of transportation is a major barrier affecting access to health facilities for people living in the remote areas of Fiji.

Fiji Islands Health System Review has also found out that Fiji’s health sector has pressuring human resource issues. The comprehensive review of Fiji’s health profile by Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Polices also highlighted that there is lack of doctors in rural areas and emigration of health workers overseas.

Presenting the overview of the findings at the Holiday Inn in Suva today Dr Graham Roberts of the Fiji National University (FNU) who is one of the writers of the review said (the) majority of Fiji’s health professionals are now concentrated in the urban hospitals. “The scarcity of qualified health professionals has caused Fiji delays in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s).” Dr Roberts said. He said 79 per cent of doctors in Fiji migrated to New Zealand, Australia, United States of America (USA) and other Pacific Island countries by the year 1999. The review also found out that nurses play a pivotal role in Fiji as they make up two thirds of the workforce.

Meanwhile, Fiji’s Public Service Commission has announced permanent secretary for the Ministry of Health, Dr Salanieta Saketa was no longer in the post following Government’s decision to bring to an end her appointment in line with provisions of her contract.

PSC chairman Josefa Serulagilagi confirmed that the position will soon be advertised and short listed before interviews and selections are held.  The chairman today acknowledged the substantial work contributed by Dr Saketa at the Health Ministry.

Serulagilagi said the recently announced 2012 Budget required new direction and management style within the ministry and added the ministry needed a new person in the position of permanent secretary because a lot of more reforms and a change in focus was needed.  The Hospital Services deputy secretary, Dr Eloni Tora will be the acting permanent secretary for Health effective from Monday, 05 December. Public Health deputy secretary, Dr Joe Koroivueta will act in the role until then.


Fiji life expectancy cut short by political turmoil: academic
 
A new report has revealed a dramatic decrease in life expectancy in Fiji, with the figure falling by nearly five years within a five year period.The life expectancy rate dropped from 72.9 years to 67.8 years from the year 2000 to 2005.

The figure comes from a Fiji Islands Health System Review by the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Polices. One of the report's authors, Professor Graham Roberts, believes the difficult times experienced by Fiji since 1987 - particularly its political turmoil - are largely responsible.

But he's told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat that no single factor can be blamed for the dramatic fall.

"It's the fact there's been multiple transitions going on," Professor Roberts said.

"We've got urbanisation, we've got changes in dietary patterns, we've got political instability. We've got large proportion of the population moving into poverty, we've got a significant proportion of the population living in squatter settlements with inadequate water and sanitation.

"And these are symptoms, once again, [of] the hard times."

Lowry Institute Write up on Fiji

At present Fiji is benefiting from a moderate level of emerging economy investment into its infrastructure and across a wide range of its industries. Russian mining giant Rusal is looking to explore its bauxite reserves, and this year China has opened a hotel and financed a $4 million fishing vessel, a $20 million government data facility, and a number of roads and ports.

India is present in Fiji as both a creditor and an investor, with Bollywood set to film three productions in Fiji this year, and India's EXIM Bank in talks with the government to revive the Fijian copra industry. Georgia recently held a series of bilateral talks with the Fiji Government about enhanced cooperation, and Indonesia has made noises about doing the same.

While foreign investment is more important to the Fijian economy than official development assistance, it's worth noting that Bainimarama's preference for non-traditional donors is selling the Fiji people short. Aid from emerging economies has primarily come in loan rather than grant form, and left Fiji indebted by a US$50.4 million line of credit from India, and a total of US$253.4 million in Chinese loans (the latter accounted for 8.35% of GDP in 2009).

Development loans are valuable if they actually yield development, but Bainimarama is no Lee Kuan Yew. GDP growth over the last few years has been marginal if not negative. The Asian Development Bank has warned that Fiji's government debt is dangerously high. Rather than diversifying the economy, Bainimarama's leadership has led it to become increasingly reliant on tourism, a sector vulnerable to exogenous volatility.

Bainimarama's intransigence on democracy and human rights has led the Fiji people to miss out on multi-million dollar post-sugar protocol aid from the European Union, and on ongoing financing from the Asian Development Bank, which hasn't approved any new projects there since 2006.

Even China is reportedly wary of engaging too extensively in Fiji lest it upset Australia and New Zealand — though this wariness speaks far more to the relatively low marginal gains to be had from engagement in Fiji than it does to China's fear of Antipodean wrath. Beyond relatively limited mineral resources, its vote in diplomatic wrangles, and a booming but low-profit tourism industry, Fiji just doesn't have that much to offer in its present state.

The Commodore's heavy hand isn't helping, with a recent World Bank report showing increased difficulty in every evaluated aspect of doing business in Fiji. That the regime felt the need to falsify its ranking in the report is unlikely to inspire much further investment interest. Bainimarama's 'Look North' foreign policy offensive is driven by a lack of options in the region and a need to justify authoritarianism at home, but the regime has failed to sell Fiji's people on the relative value of the new emerging economy relationships over the old ones.

Bainimarama may find this task increasingly difficult if his administration doesn't yield tangible development gains soon, because there are clearly limits on emerging economy interest in his regime. For all the rhetoric about South-South cooperation, developing economy donors have their own poverty problems to address and any development assistance they shell out internationally is going to be strongly premised on mutual gains.

Fiji has geo-strategic and infrastructure advantages it should be leveraging in this 'Asian century' to stimulate record economic growth and opportunity for its people. That it is failing to do so is an indictment of Bainimarama's leadership.
 
Thanks to Kelera Tallis on Facebook's Fiji Economic Forum for this.

Saturday 3 December 2011

Fiji has moved on and Australia must play by the new rules

by: Michael O'Keefe

From: The Australian December 29, 2011 12:00AM
 
A KEY assumption underlying Australian foreign policy towards Fiji may prove to be false. Even if sanctions are lifted, Fiji may not welcome Australia with open arms. Australia now faces a mature and confident Fiji across the negotiating table and elements in the Fijian government are truly "looking north".

Friday 2 December 2011

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

Need for Education Check Up


I refer to the TV news where we are told we have a lack of town planners. The lack of town planners speaks volumes about where the education system in Fiji has fallen short. While we have a dynamic education system and educationists, there are many vital jobs that are not catered for, probably for many reasons. In today’s world glamour is the way to go – pilot, aircraft engineer and flight attendant are chief amongst them. Yet that market is very small.

Many of our urban areas flood when there is torrential rain, we ask why, simply because of blocked drains. It doesn’t need a rocket scientist to know and prepare and clean drains during prolonged dry   periods. Town planners are not the only job where we lack experienced people. We don’t have qualified vets in abundance, and the agriculture area lacks expertise. If someone wants to argue with me, my point is, if we had experts, Fiji, a green country, would have been exporting root crops, beef and mutton instead of importing. Yes, that’s my point.

The government, education ministry and the universities must work in conjunction with each other to determine what the market needs and then devise the courses. Right now I notice that computer, business, office management, catering, management, tourism and a few more disciplines are the ones that are offered. Where we need to strengthen our economy, we lack. And why do we have to constantly bring in expatriates.  It’s because of our shortsightedness. I worked as a Customs officer at Nadi airport for eleven years processing passengers and there were many times I came across farmers who had gone overseas to visit their children who were doing a BA, MBA, PhD or other qualification in computer science, management, banking, teaching, medicine and several other disciplines. But never in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, animal husbandry or cattle farming.  Where are the children of the farmers who go to university, gets a degree in agriculture, returns home and takes over the farm, taking it to heights that his or her parents could never have taken it?  I have asked many farmers in their late 70s and 80s and they always say, “Nahi, we don’t want our children to struggle like us. We want them to become doctor and teacher and earn big money.” And who will grow our food, the New Zealanders and Australians?

I rest my case.


Editor's P.S. I think it's also a matter of perceived status, where agriculture is pretty low on the ladder.  I'm reminded of a student I taught in Tonga. He had top marks in English but failed his School Certificate. Only one overseas scholarship was available to him: in poultry farming. I urged him to take it, saying he would be Tonga's first qualified poultry farmer with excellent changes of financial success.  He declined because his parents thought a minor clerk's job in Treasury had more status. The double irony is that his weak subject was Maths.   There was a time in Fiji, however, when students went overseas to study agriculture. Joketani Cokanasiga and Jo Chung come to mind, and USP has its Alafua Campus.

It's exciting, say iTaukei women

SOQOSOQO Vakamarama leader Adi Finau Tabakaucoro has come out in support of the 2012 Budget announced by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama on Friday.
"It's interesting and exciting and very positive," said the former assistant minister for women and social welfare.

From the Fiji Labour Party Website

Budget 2012

[posted 25 Nov 2011,1445]

The 2012 Budget will destabilize State finances and will most likely lead to increases in indirect taxes to offset the huge reductions in personal and corporate tax rates.

Elections: Looking Back and Forwards

Report found massive faults in 2006 elections
Friday, December 02, 2011
http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=41842
A report on the 2006 elections has pointed out major faults during the campaign. elections.

The report was compiled by the EU Electoral Observer Mission that was present in Fiji at that time.

Pensioners question pension legality

Pensioners question pension legality

Pensioners have questioned the legality of the new pension rate.
The Fiji National Provident Fund held a public consultation at the Civic Centre in Suva where a majority of pensioners voiced their concerns.
Seona Smiles says FNPF’s new rate is illegal.
“36% is going to lose by the new arrangement are basically being punished for a lack of inaction and a lack of accountability and a lack of transparency by the FNPF - we should not be punished - there is a legal action in front of the court and I wonder what best practice advices changing the law while the matter is still under consideration in the court”

PCN's Budget Submission

From the PEOPLE’S COMMUNITY NETWORK (PCN)

We at the People’s Community Network are grateful for the opportunity to contribute our suggestions to the formulation of the 2012 National Budget. As an organisation which works with the grass-roots people of the country – the workers and the poor – we feel we have an important perspective to offer for the Budget, especially in view of the priorities of the People’s Charter and the Millennium Development Goals.

Australian policy on Fiji “dysfunctional”, says report

Fiji's military leader and Prime Minister, Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama. Photo: Selwyn Manning

Pacific Scoop:
Commentary – By Graham Davis

The folly of Australian policy towards Fiji is at the centre of a damning new landmark report that suggests the United States has lost confidence in Canberra’s ability to influence events in the Pacific and counter rising Chinese influence in the region.
It calls for the immediate and unconditional lifting of regional sanctions against Fiji and for Australia to “repair its relationship at the highest level” by re-engaging with the Bainimarama regime through the Pacific Islands Forum.
“It is well past the time to treat this festering regional wound”, it declares.
The report – covering all aspects of Australia’s relations with the Pacific and entitled “Our Near Abroad” – has been issued by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), an independent, government-funded think tank set up in 2001 to advise Canberra on its defence and strategic policy options.
Direct challenge to Australian Government policy
The conclusions of its authors – Professor Richard Herr and Anthony Bergin – are bound to stick in the craw of Australia’s foreign minister, Kevin Rudd, for they present a direct challenge to the entire edifice of current Pacific policy.
The report details in stark terms the extent to which Australia has been isolated in the region and is losing its ability to influence “collective decision making in the South Pacific”.
It cites as evidence the fact that eleven Pacific Island members of the United Nations have formed a voting bloc that excludes Australia and that the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) – which also excludes Australia – has backed fellow member Fiji against Australian sanctions.
It calls on Australia to “regather the threads of regional leadership” with a comprehensive range of measures that include repairing its relationship with Fiji, a country it describes as being at “the heart of the Pacific Islands regional system” as the principal transportation, communications and diplomatic hub.
“The region cannot survive without its heart” – the report says – describing Fiji’s suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum as having “seriously changed regional dynamics”.
ASPI warns of the consequences of Fiji seeking new international relationships because of its breach with Australia and New Zealand over Frank Bainimarama’s 2006 coup.
China the “significant beneficiary”
It says Fiji’s membership of the Non Aligned Movement  “underscores Suva’s more aggressive pursuit of South-South dialogue, specifically to reduce reliance on its traditional friends, including Australia.
“Whether intended or not, China has been a significant beneficiary of this development as a leading state in the NAM”, the report concludes.
The authors suggest that Fiji has outwitted Australia to the detriment of its national interests in the Pacific and the strength and cohesion of regional organisations such as the Pacific Forum .
“The importance of Fiji for the new geopolitics of the region is that it’s actively challenging Australia’s privileged position in the regional system. There are many reasons why Australia should repair relations with Fiji, but the deleterious effects of the current contretemps on the Pacific Islands Forum are the key because they cascade through the regional system”.
The report cites  “the impossibility” of concluding the current PACER Plus trade negotiations and “the rift between the Pacific Islands Forum and the Melanesian Spearhead Group”, which have taken opposing views on Fiji.
Sanctions “impractical” and “dysfunctional”
It goes on to say that “Forum-related sanctions (against Fiji) are being subverted by other organisations, including the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC),  the Forum Fisheries Agency and even RAMSI,  the billion dollar Australian intervention in Solomon Islands.
It describes those sanctions as “impractical” and says “they have proved dysfunctional for Australia and for its image in the region”.
It also says the delay in repairing the relationship has been costly, partly because attitudes in Fiji about the need for Australian assistance appear to have hardened”.
As well as the lifting of sanctions, the report calls on Australia to follow New Zealand’s lead in re-establishing ministerial contact. More controversially, it also calls for the re-establishment of Australia’s ties with the Fiji military to deal with maritime security, border protection and transnational crime.
ASPI goes on to examine the divergence in approach between the United States and Australia towards Fiji, exemplified last week when Washington’s new ambassador in Suva, Frankie Reed, visited Frank Bainimarama in the prime minister’s office.
No Australian or New Zealand head of mission has had any direct contact with the Fijian leader since his coup five years ago.
The report quotes Ms Reed as having described Fiji’s position in the Pacific as “unique” and said it was “a key focal point in America’s larger regional engagement with the South Pacific”.
US seeking “more direct” approach
In stark contrast with the Australian position, the ambassador said the United States sought a “more direct engagement with Fiji’s government to encourage the restoration of democracy” within the regime’s stated timetable of September 2014.
The ASPI report says that while “the US is reluctant to openly express criticism of Australia’s handling of regional relations, it’s clear there are genuine doubts about Australia’s capacity to lead islands’ opinion on relations with China”.
It concludes that “the US is taking on a more direct role in protecting its own interests in the region, just as it did in the mid to late 1980s when it felt that managing Cold War challenges in the Pacific Islands was beyond the capacity of Australia and New Zealand”.
Graham Davis is an investigative journalist and media commentator. His articles are frequently published by Pacific Scoop. He publishes the blog Grubsheet where this commentary was originally published