In promulgating Fiji’s new and fourth Constitution earlier this September, the country’s leaders hailed it as “the Constitution Fiji needed to have in order to join the ranks of the world’s great democracies”, and described the event in triumphal terms ranging from “historic” to “revolutionary.”

The document is certainly progressive in some respects: it provides, for instance, an expansive bill of rights with particular emphasis on socio–economic and cultural rights; an equitable and non-racial electoral system in place of the communal based systems as well as oversight institutions to promote transparency, accountability and combat corruption. It also creates a common Fijian national identity, which for the first time makes all citizens ‘Fijians’ irrespective of their ethnic identity. The Constitution also transfers the powers of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) to appoint the President to Parliament. Unlike before, this makes any Fijian, regardless of ethnicity more likely to be appointed to this office. In general, the removal of this institution, which—because of its exclusively Taukei composition—tended to favor members of this indigenous community, creates hope for more equal opportunities to all especially with the recognition of ‘Fijian’ as a single national identity. But is this enough to earn such glowing description or is the government just indulging in unwarranted self-praise? Continue reading →

Every time Frank is out of the country the Attorney General becomes Acting Prime Minister and by his own implication becomes Government.

In this latest fiasco he really believes he can dictate to world sporting bodies and international organisations that control video audio line feed. The man appears power mad. When he spouts “Government has decided” It means HE has decided.

He has now decided (probably at the behest of his “Little Brother” ) that an independent broadcaster who has successfully made a bid, based on advertising revenue, and as a result has EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS for the IRB 7’s series, Rugby League World Cup. Super Rugby, Rugby Championships and the next Rugby World Cup tournament, MUST according to this man, share these exclusive rights with his Little Brother and other competitors. Clearly he has no concept of the word EXCLUSIVE.

He is sufficiently arrogant or could it be ignorant?, to think that international providers will take note of his instruction to accept a combined bid from all parties, totally disregarding the fact that it sets a precedent that would destroy the international bidding process.

We have no problem with the international organisers of events telling him to “ F Off”, what we do have a problem with is that the end result of this disastrous decision will be that the people of Fiji will not see major world events because the international providers will refuse to dance to the Fiji Attorney Generals tune. 

Message for the Prime Minister (who we think is really doing a good job)

Frank if in the 2014 Elections a vote for you is a vote for this man, a great many of us will not be voting for you…sorry.

Check Fiji Village for full story: http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=031013e3e255d4ba206c3c0e937f9c