Why the FTUC Wanted to Protest - and Why Government Should Listen

Sometimes we focus so much on "what" that we forget to ask "why".  

Felix Anthony after his release from prison
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For many people this has been the case with the protest rally and march by the Fiji Council of Trade Unions planned for  May 3-4 timed to coincide with the meeting of the ADB's Board of Governors' meeting in Nadi; the application and refusal of permits; uneven support from its own affiliates; the division within SODELPA on whether or not to support the protest; the arrest and subsequent release of  FTUC National Secretary Felix Anthony and other unionists; and, now, the indefinite deferment of the protest in the wake of these happenings.

Oh! For Fair and Informed Reporting on Fiji

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I have no gripes about Gavin Ellis. His media reputation is well deserved. Nor do I have any gripes about Asia Pacific Report that published his report  "Don’t be fooled by Fiji PM’s apology over arrests – media freedom is dire". 

But I do take exception to the heading that implies Bainimarama's apology for the arrest of three NZ journalists investigating environmental damage on Malolo Island, and their subsequent release, was insincere. Surely, the Fiji Government's withdrawal of the Chinese company's licence soon afterwards is proof enough of the sincerity of his apology. 

Investing in Land Not a Problem If Farmers Use the Land

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Minister for Agriculture Dr Mahendra Reddy has reminded farmers that investments in agricultural projects should be made good use of.

Dr Reddy’s comment follows pleas from farmers for an irrigation system in the area of Dreketilailai, Labasa.

Weekend Reading 23-24 February 2019

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Saturday 8qm. Fiji: Agreement in Church-State Dilemma

Saturday 3pm. Are Facebook and Twitter Killing Mainstream Media and  Blogs?

Sunday 6pm. Our Kauri Heritage.

Robin Nair Thinks Bainimarama Can Still Retrieve the Democracy Promised

Ministerial Reshuffle, January 2018: An Opinion by Robin Nair

Nair and the PM in happier times/ pn255

Speaker's Corner, Suva

Robin Nair is a lawyer who was Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs in Fiji until April 2017 when he resigned — or was dismissed by Bainimarama. Take your pick., Previously he was a senior diplomat in  Australia and Fiji.He now  advises several governments on good governance, meritocracy and democracy.  

Considering the circumstances of his leaving government, and his overall concern at the state of democracy in Fiji (see his comments on the Public Service) I consider this  a most encouraging article, although I have reservations with his recommendation of a Government of National Unity.  The emphasis in the text is mine.  -- ACW

Fiji's Christmas Political Pantomime

Jon Apted, SODELPA/NFP petition lawyer pn205

SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka's address on Parliament's opening day was a well rehearsed mix of polite well wishes to Government alternating with quick jabs in the ribs, the deepest one heralding the future court challenge  of the election results.  The stage was set for the pantomime that followed.

“This is not the Voreqe Bainimarama that I have known for many, many years" -- Pio Tikoduadua

In happier days. May they return.  pn198

Pio Tikoduadua (Lt.Col. retired) was the FijiFirst Minister of Infrastructure and Transport in  2014 and a close friend and colleague of PM Voqere Bainimarama. He resigned a year later when he disagreed with the expulsion of colleague Dr Neil Sharma who had voted with the Opposition on a health matter. He joined the National Federation Party in 2017 and was recently elected to Parliament.  

Please note that is it my emphasis on sections of his speech reported in The Fiji Times. 
Note also my previous posting pn197  "What the FijiFirst Government can do, starting now,  to win the next election " that covers some of the same ground,