pn770. Fiji three items: Covid Update; SODELPA MP votes with Government on Budget and land act amendment, and another SODELPA had a name change.

 COVID-19. Fiji reports 1,285 new cases and 9 deaths in the past 24 hours to 8am yesterday.  Some 202 cases were in the Western Division, centred on Nadi, Lautoka and Ba, and 1,083 in the Central Division, centred on Suva. There are no cases in the Northern Division (Labasa on Vanua Levu) or the Eastern Division (Ovalau in Lomaiviti and Lau). To date, 75.2% of the target population has been vaccinated once, and 16.6% twice. Since the outbreak started there have been nearly 18,000 cases and 195  deaths.

SODELPA MP VOTES WITH GOVERNMENT

SODELPA gives him the boot
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RELATED. Biman Prasad criticizes government.

. Much to the consternation of his party,  Opposition SODELPA MP Mosese Bulitavu crossed the floor and voted in support of the Fiji First Government Budget and the proposed amendment to the iTaukei Land Trust Act.  SODELPA leader Viliame Gavoka urged FF to keep a seat for him at the next election, Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya said she was "disappointed," whlle Minister for Housing Premila Kumar said his stance showed "courage, intgegrity and rose above race and politics."

No longer Honourable

NAME CHANGE.  SODELPA MP and prominent lawyer Niko Nawaikula is no longer an MP. He was asked to stand down by the Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau when it was revealed his real name was not on the electoral register. He had registered to vote as Niko Naiwaikula but his real name is Nikolau Tuiqamea.