DECISIONS MADE AT THE 10TH CABINET MEETING HELD ON 24 JUNE, 2025

Decisions made at the 10th cabinet meeting held on 24 June, 2025

1. PERSONAL INSOLVENCY, FINANCIAL REHABILITATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL RESCUE BILL 2025
Cabinet approved the Personal Insolvency, Financial Rehabilitation and Entrepreneurial Rescue Bill 2025 (Bill), which inter alia seeks to repeal the Bankruptcy Act 1944 (Act).
 
The Bill aims to introduce a modern approach to personal insolvency, promoting the 'fresh start' principle to help honest debtors return to economic productivity, as well as alternatives to formal bankruptcy, including:
-Debt Rehabilitation Order - A simplified, fast-track procedure for low-value cases;
-Debt Restructuring Arrangement- A voluntary alternative allowing debtors and creditors to negotiate a plan for restructuring debts and partial repayment; and
Debt Protection Moratorium - A temporary 60-day stay on creditor debt collection actions, allowing debtors time to seek advice and negotiate arrangements.
 
The Bill will now be tabled in Parliament.
 
2. STRATEGIC MASTER PLANNING FOR VITI LEVU AND CONCEPT MASTER PLANNING FOR GREATER SUVA, NADI AND LAUTOKA 
Cabinet endorsed Strategic Master Planning for Viti Levu and Concept Master Planning for Greater Suva, Nadi and Lautoka.
 
The objectives are to:
-develop a comprehensive fifty-year plan with five-year targeted outcomes, harmonising infrastructure investment and land use sustainable urban development; and
-align all land use and infrastructure strategic plans and integrate policies such as the National Infrastructure Implementation Plan 2023 – 2034 to guide infrastructure investment screening for the next 5–10 years.
 
A Cabinet Subcommittee has been established to review and provide oversight on the master planning process.
 
3. LEGISLATIVE REVIEW AND POLICY REFORM FOR THE EXPUNGEMENT OF IRRELEVANT CONVICTIONS OVER TEN YEARS TO ENHANCE EMPLOYMENT AND VISA OPPORTUNITIES
Cabinet agreed that a legislative review and policy reform be undertaken to facilitate the removal of criminal records involving only those convicted of minor offences. These will be only in the instance where the said offences are more than 10 years old and the offenders are rehabilitated individuals aiming to improve employment and visa application opportunities while maintaining public safety and aligning with international rehabilitation standards.
 
The Rehabilitation of Offenders (Irrelevant Convictions) Act 1997 (Part 2), prohibits unlawful discrimination against individuals with irrelevant convictions. Individuals with expired irrelevant convictions are eligible to obtain certificates that exempt them from disclosing such records within the country.
 
While this provision facilitates reintegration and reduces barriers to employment and social participation locally, the effectiveness of these certificates is limited, as they are not recognised internationally.
 
The legislative review will seek to allow for the non-disclosure of convictions older than ten years and minor offenses (e.g., infractions, misdemeanours, petty theft, and small-scale property damage, curfew breaches, traffic offences- driving under the influence) as “irrelevant” for visa and employment screening.
 
4. COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES RED CRESCENT AUTHORITY AND THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI
Cabinet endorsed the execution of a Cooperation Agreement (Agreement) between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Red Crescent Authority and the Ministry of Education for the construction of duplex teachers’ quarters for Lautoka Methodist College, Ratu Simione Matanitobua College, and Sigatoka Methodist College.
 
Under an earlier Cooperation Agreement in 2018, ERCA had provided a full financial grant of $6.3M (FJD) for the successful construction of classrooms and special rooms for Lautoka Methodist College, Ratu Simione Matanitobua College, and Sigatoka Methodist College.
 
The Emirates Red Crescent Authority (ERCA) was established in 1983 and is internationally attested as a member in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 1986.
 
5. SOLAR TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION RESOURCE CENTRE IN FIJI
Cabinet endorsed the establishment of a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) at the College of Engineering and Technical, Vocational Education and Training (CETVET) under the Fiji National University (FNU) in partnership with the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
 
STAR-C provides services like training and skill development, testing guidelines and standards, knowledge management, and incubation of startups for innovative products and services.
 
The establishment of STAR-C in Fiji will support the National Energy Policy (NEP) 2023 - 2030's strategic actions of increasing access to skill transfer programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and employment opportunities to support Fiji's low-carbon transition and national renewable energy projects.
 
6. FIJI WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT NATIONAL ACTION PLAN (2025-2030)
 
Cabinet endorsed the Fiji Women’s Economic Empowerment National Action Plan (WEENAP) (2025-2030).
 
Fiji WEENAP (2025-2030) is a document that highlights actions and strategies that will improve women’s access to and benefit from economic opportunities.
 
It is built on the following four interconnected pillars, each with supporting strategies and key actions:
-inclusive employment and skill development to enable women in workplace;
-business and entrepreneurship support for women-led enterprises;
-financial inclusion and resilience to enhance women’s access to finance; and
-health and well‑being advancement for women.
 
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection will lead and coordinate the implementation of strategies and actions of the WEENAP (2025-2030).
 
7. LEGAL AID COMMISSION JOB EVALUATION EXERCISE
Cabinet agreed that consideration be given to the provision of funding for the implementation of the Job Evaluation Exercise (JEE) for the Legal Aid Commission (Commission).
 
The JEE was undertaken by Maxumise Fiji in 2024.
 
The Commission is established under the Legal Aid Act 1996. This year marks 29 years of the Commission’s existence and service to the people of Fiji. The Commission provides a range of legal services to those who would otherwise go without any assistance.
 
8. MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION WITH THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF JAPAN IN THE FIELDS OF LAW AND JUSTICE
Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the Ministry of Justice of Fiji (MOJF) and the Ministry of Justice of Japan (MOJJ).
 
The MOC aimed at promoting cooperation and information exchange in the fields of law and justice.
 
Potential areas of cooperation include the exchange of legal expertise, technical knowledge, and mutual support in strengthening and modernising legal systems.
 
9. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH INDONESIA NATIONAL NARCOTICS BOARD
Cabinet endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between the Republic of Indonesia National Narcotics Board and the Ministry of Policing.
 
The MOU establishes a non-legally binding framework to promote technical cooperation, information sharing, and capacity building.
 
The collaboration aligns with Fiji’s national counter-narcotics objectives and supports broader regional efforts to combat drug trafficking, and is expected to enhance Fiji’s ability to respond to evolving drug-related threats, including those linked to cybercrime, while also supporting stronger institutions and the professional development of those working on the frontlines of this issue.
 
10. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH KOREAN NATIONAL POLICE AGENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Cabinet endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation to be executed between the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) of the Republic of Korea and the Fiji Police Force (FPF).
 
The MOU for cooperation to prevent and combat transnational crimes, terrorism and enhance capacity building between the two agencies.