Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he has given time to the previous government to clear office. Speaking to the media outside Parliament yesterday, he said he had no immediate plans. “At the moment, I...
Democracy in Fiji is now well-established, says newly-sworn in Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Viliame Gavoka. He said this in response to questions from this paper regarding the outcome of yesterday’s secret ballot voting in Parliament. “This was done above Board and after all this, we are all proud of the...
Attorney-General Siromi Turaga says he will use his 28 years of legal expertise to execute the important role before him. Speaking to the media outside Parliament yesterday, he said he was humbled to be given such a critical role in Government. “I am delighted and I am deeply humbled by the appointment,” the former magistrate...
Minister for Finance and National Federation Party leader Prof Biman Prasad says the transition to a new government is good for our country and democracy. Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony yesterday, he said his plan was to work with everyone. “I want to take this opportunity to thank the prime minister for accepting the outcome...
Fiji’s new Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Christ’s teachings provided the way that a country of many communities and beliefs can co-exist in unity. In his Christmas message, he said he wanted to reach out to all Fijians in the spirit of this wonderful celebration. He said Jesus Christ offered salvation to humanity and the...
Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is the new Speaker of Parliament. Mr Lalabalavu was accorded the “dragging of the speaker” ritual, where he was escorted from the public gallery by National Federation Party leader MP Prof Biman Prasad and People’s Alliance MP Ro Filipe Tuisawau to take an oath before he took up the Speaker’s...
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka ended Voreqe Bainimarama’s 16-year reign as leader of the country when he secured a 28-vote majority during secret ballot voting in Parliament yesterday. Speaking outside Parliament before a swearing-in ceremony at the State House in Suva, Mr Rabuka said he hoped the people of Fiji “will truly have a Merry...
Newly-elected Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has noted the reduction in the number of women representatives in parliament. He made the remark in his address after his election as Speaker yesterday. “Whilst we have many new and young members entering Parliament for the first time, I also notice the reduction of the number of...
FijiFirst Party leader Voreqe Bainimarama hopes he will be appointed as Leader of Opposition. The former prime minister said this while responding to queries outside Parliament on whether he will be the Leader of Opposition in this new term of parliament. The People’s Alliance Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka was appointed Fiji’s new Prime Minister earlier...
FijiFirst MP Mosese Bulitavu says he is glad to be back in Opposition. He abandoned SODELPA a few weeks leading to the 2022 General Election to join the FijiFirst Party who has been in power since 2006. Mr Bulitavu tried to evade journalists when walking out of Parliament this morning but was approached on his...
SODELPA MP Ifereimi Vasu says he is ready to serve the people. He said he was satisfied with the decision of the SODELPA management board to form a coalition with The People’s Alliance Party and National Federation Party to run the Fijian Government for the next four years. “I have decided to go into politics...
Former Minister for Defence and FijiFirst MP Inia Seruiratu brushed the media aside today when approached for an interview. He had been asked to respond to the verdict of the secret ballot in Parliament this morning that resulted in the appointment of The People’s Alliance Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka as Fiji’s new Prime Minister. He...
The People’s Alliance Party leader Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka is the new Prime Minister of Fiji. Mr Rabuka was nominated by SODELPA leader Viliame Gavoka in the first sitting of parliament today. He was elected via a secret ballot. He received 28 votes. The other nominee was FijiFirst Party leader Voreqe Bainimarama who received 27 votes.
LET us not let politics divide us. This is the plea from Momo na Tui Ba Ratu Filimoni Nale Lagivala. His comment followed the recent statement by the Fiji Police Force that they have called on the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to assist in operations amidst reports of alleged threats against minority groups in...
 National Federation Party elected-member Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua has been appointed the new Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Ms Qereqeretabua received 28 votes. The other nominee was FijiFirst elected-MP Viliame Naupoto who received 27 votes. Ms Qereqeretabua also took her oath of allegiance as deputy Speaker.
Newly-elected Speaker of the Fijian Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has acknowledged the newly-elected members of parliament for the trust placed on him to serve as Speaker. In his address this morning from the chair, he thanked God for this “great honour�? bestowed on him. He congratulated the newly-elected members for their successful election into parliament....
As the first sitting of Parliament continues, the Speaker of Parliament has been appointed. The nominees were former speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. After casting of a secret ballot, the result stood at 27 votes for Ratu Epeli and 28 for Ratu Naiqama. Ratu Naiqama was nominated by National Federation...
A SOCIAL media campaign kick-started by a local lawyer which encourages minority groups to share how they are feeling and to stand united is going viral. Bhumika Khatri, a lawyer with leading legal firm Munro Leys, said she started the campaign on Thursday after the announcement by Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho that the Republic...
INVOLVING the Republic of Fiji Military Forces directly or indirectly to maintain security could have far-reaching ramifications internally and could also impact on tourism and investment during a critical time – Fiji’s economic recovery effort from the financial crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This according to Fijian academic and director of the University of...
NO racial tension or attacks on minority groups have been received so far from the 18 District Council of Social Services (DCOSS) across the four divisions. Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) executive director Vani Catanasiga said this at midday yesterday, adding they had only received flooding reports in Nadroga. This newspaper had asked Ms...
WE will deliver on the promises we have made and we will give Fijians a government they will be proud of. These were the promises made by The People’s Alliance leader Sitiveni Rabuka and National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad at a news conference, soon after the Social Democratic Liberal Party management board voted...
UNITY Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube has called on politicians to “resist the temptation to finger point, misinformed and lash out at their opponents”. He made the comment in his Christmas message to all Fijians, and urged everyone to embrace love, peace and harmony this festive season. “We appeal to the people of Fiji to...
AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reiterated his country stands ready to work with whichever party forms government through the democratic process in Fiji. He made the comment during a news conference in Sydney yesterday following questions about the prospect of civil unrest in Fiji and whether Australia would send troops and police if required....
THE complaint lodged by The People’s Alliance (PA) party general secretary Sakiasi Ditoka against FijiFirst party (FF) general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has been handed over to the Fiji Police Force Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho said this in a statement yesterday. Mr Ditoka lodged the complaint at the Central Police Station...
 The first sitting of the Fiji Parliament has convened. Newly-elected members are taking their oath this hour. The new prime minister, speaker and deputy speaker will also be appointed this morning.
Parliament will elect a Prime Minister today. This after President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere summoned Parliament to meet at 9.30am in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 67(1) of the Constitution of Fiji. At that first meeting, the Parliament Secretary General will swear in the new members before the MPs elect the Speaker...
Merry Christmas Fiji! This was the message from SODELPA management board member and MP Tanya Waqanika after the conclusion of their meeting at the Southern Cross Hotel in Suva this evening. Asked whether her Christmas wishes meant good news for the people of Fiji, she responded: “Free at last.�? Ms Waqanika was one of the...
The People’s Alliance Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka says it is a humbling experience to be accepted by SODELPA to form a three-party coalition with the PA-NFP partners. He said it had been a rollercoaster past few days they were relieved and grateful this evening that after its board meeting this afternoon and after hearing from...
The SODELPA Management Board has chosen to form a coalition with The People’s Alliance Party and National Federation Party to form the new Fijian government for the next four years. A secret ballot held at the meeting resulted in 13 votes for PA-NFP coalition and 12 for the FijiFirst Party. Party vice-president Anare Jale said...
PRESIDENT of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma Reverend Ili Vunisuwai has called on members of the public to wait patiently and calmly while politicians play their part. Speaking to The Fiji Times in in interview, he said he saw no reason why the military should be called in to assist the Police. He...