16TH CABINET MEETING DECISIONS –20 NOVEMBER 2025

1. Amendments to Civil Service (General) Regulations 1999
Cabinet amendments to the Civil Service (General) Regulations 1999.
 
These amendments will increase the post-retirement re-engagement period for specialised officers with scarce skills from one to two years.
 
A two-year term will reduce the frequency of contract renewals, ensuring smoother continuity in leadership and critical roles.
 
2. Re-establishment of Fiji’s Embassy in Brussels
Cabinet endorsed a phased reopening of Fiji's Embassy in Brussels.
 
The Fiji Embassy in Brussels was established in July 1973 in Europe to foster our relations with the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). It was officially closed in 2021 as part of the Government's post-COVID-19 austerity measures implemented under the 2020–2021 national budget.
 
Since its closure, the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, has continued to represent Fiji's diplomatic engagement with the European Union (EU) and the wider European continent.
 
This arrangement has proven operationally inefficient due to workload saturation in Geneva, the operational time zone, and the complexity of EU institutions, which require sustained bilateral and multilateral engagement on the ground in Brussels.
 
The decision to reopen the Embassy reaffirms Fiji’s presence in Europe and addresses a significant representation gap within the European continent. It will also provide a platform to strengthen bilateral and external trade ties with key European nations, as well as strengthen support to the growing diaspora in the region.
 
3. Orders of Municipal Wards and By-laws
Cabinet endorsed the publication of By-laws for the incorporation of iTaukei Villages into municipalities, the Orders for the inclusion of incorporated villages in the boundaries of respective municipal wards, and the Nadi Town Wards (Extension) Order 2025.
 
The inclusion of iTaukei villages into municipal boundaries will allow residents of villages located within municipalities and in a 2-kilometer radius from the end of the boundary to participate in the elections. 
 
The gazettal of the By-laws and Orders, as well as relevant regulations this month (November 2025) will allow for the conduct of Local Government Elections in September 2026.  
 
4. Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2025
Cabinet endorsed the tabling of the Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2025 (Bill), in Parliament.
 
The Bill has been developed following a review of the Public Health Act 1935.
 
The Bill aims to modernise Fiji’s public health legal framework and ensure that it is fit-for-purpose, aligned with international best practices, and responsive to Fiji’s current and future health realities.
 
5. Town Planning (Amendment) Bill 2025
Cabinet endorsed the Town Planning (Amendment) Bill 2025 (Bill) for tabling in Parliament.
 
The Bill is to support the implementation of new policies and decisions in anticipation of the rolling out of the Building Permits Approval Subsystems (BPAS).
 
6. Kanacea Island Trust Fund
Cabinet endorsed the revised disbursement formular of the Kanacea Island Trust Fund Account that is currently being administered by the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources (Ministry).
 
The revised formula is as follows:
(i) 50% Yavusa Kanacea;
(ii) 5% - Tui Kanacea;
(iii) 5% - Tui Vuna;
(iv) 20% - Yavusa Vuna; and
(v) 20% - Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, while 5% (from the 20%) will be for the hereditary title holder of the Tui Cakau.

The island of Kanacea is situated on the northern part of the Lau Group, with a total area of 1248.5968 hectares.
 
In 1991, Carpenters Fiji Ltd sold Kanacea Island to Yamagata Centre, a California based Company, for F$6million. In recognition of its cordial relationship with the Fijian people after 75 years of trading in Fiji, Carpenters offered an ex-gratia payment of $1 million to the Fiji Government.
 
The money was to put in trust and the accrued interest was to be used at Government’s absolute discretion.
 
The Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources, acting as a trustee for this $1 Million ex gratia investment on behalf of Government, is responsible for ensuring that the fund is safe and that the annual returns are fully maximised for the benefit of Government and, by extension, the members of the Yavusa Kanacea who reside in Vuna, Taveuni.
 
7. Amended Land Transport Regulations
Cabinet endorsed the following Land Transport regulations:
Land Transport (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2025;
Land Transport (Fees and Penalties) (Amendment) Regulations 2025;
Land Transport (Traffic Infringement Notice) (Amendment) Regulations 2025;
Land Transport (Vehicles Registration and Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2025; and
Land Transport (Driver) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.
 
The amendment regulations allow for the following:
Re-introduction of temporary permits
Removal of transfer of permits through sales and purchase agreements
Increase in penalties
Penalty clause on failure to stop and weigh
Introduction of payment plan policy; and
Introduction of a two-stage provisional licensing system.
 
The regulations will come into effect on a date to be decided upon by the Minister responsible for transport.  
 
8. Gender Transformative Institutional Capacity Development Initiative – Programme Design 2025-2030
Cabinet endorsed the next phase of the Gender Transformative Institutional Capacity Development (ICD) Initiative – Programme Design and its implementation plan for the next 5 Years (2025-2030).
 
The programme aims to strengthen Government’s capacity for transformative gender mainstreaming that prioritizes the integration of all women and girls’ strategic and practical needs, interests, concerns, contributions and perspectives into public strategic plans, policies, legislation, programmes, investments and budgetary allocations.
 
9. Natural Disaster Reserve Coverage to Cover Termite Infestation
Cabinet approved an amendment to Section 28 of the Income Tax Act 2015.
 
Section 28 of the Income Tax Act currently provides a tax deduction for deposits into a reserve fund account with a financial institution for losses to buildings caused by windstorm, tidal wave, landslide or similar catastrophes.
 
For commercial, industrial, or agricultural buildings, the deduction is capped at 1.5 per cent of the replacement cost of the building. For residential buildings, the deduction is limited to the lesser of 1.5 per cent of the replacement cost, or $500.
 
This amendment will expand the scope of the Natural Disaster Reserve to include declared biosecurity emergencies, specifically the Asian Subterranean Termite (AST) infestation within the coverage of the reserve.
 
Affected property owners will then be able to access reserve funds in a tax effective manner to support necessary repairs or reconstruction.
 
A Bill to effect the amendment will be drafted in consultation with the National Disaster Management Office.
 
10. Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation Project-the OPEC Fund for International Development
Cabinet endorsed the execution of the financing agreements for the Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation Project (PHIT).
 
A loan of US$30.0 million (approximately FJD 68.6 million) will be provided by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) to Fiji to assist in financing the PHIT project.
 
PHIT will be the second World Bank funded project in the health sector in Fiji, and the second regional project lead by Fiji.
 
Project beneficiaries are Fiji, Tuvalu, Tonga and Kiribati while SPC will support some regional activities.
 
The project aims to strengthen regional systems to enable coordinated access to quality health services within participating countries with a focus on non-communicable disease (NCD) management.
 
11. Local Government Act 1972 Review
Cabinet approved the outcome of the review of the Local Government Act 1972 (Act).
 
The Local Government Act 1972 (Act) provides the legal framework for the establishment, governance, and administration of municipal councils. It outlines the powers, functions, and responsibilities of local authorities to ensure effective local governance and service delivery.
 
The review proposed changes to the structure of the legislation, operations of the Municipal Councils, powers and duties of the Councils, and role of the Ministry of Local Government, to name a few.
 
The resulting draft Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025 will now be subject to public consultation prior to finalization.
 
12. Environment Management (Amendment) Bill 2025 
Cabinet endorsed the Environment Management (Amendment) Bill 2025 (Bill) for tabling in Parliament.
 
The Bill provides changes that will be critical to facilitate the integration of the Building Permit Approval System (BPAS).
 
13. Criminal Records Bill 2025
Cabinet agreed that the Criminal Records Bill 2025 (Bill) be finalised for tabling in Parliament.
 
Fiji’s current criminal records framework imposes lifelong consequences for minor, historical offences, creating enduring barriers to employment, education, and international mobility for rehabilitated citizens.
 
The absence of a comprehensive and automatic mechanism for non-disclosure undermines rehabilitation, perpetuates stigma, and contradicts national values of fairness and second chances.
 
The Criminal Records Bill 2025 seeks to align Fiji with international best practices by enabling reintegration, reducing structural exclusion, and restoring dignity to law-abiding individuals.
 
14. Commercial Use of Marine Areas Bill
Cabinet endorsed the Commercial Use of Marine Areas Bill 2025 (Bill) for tabling in Parliament.
 
The Bill seeks to repeal the Regulation of Surfing Areas Act 2010 and replace it with a new framework. 
 
The new framework, once passed by Parliament, will enable the reversion of the proprietary ownership of marine areas used for commercial purposes to the customary owners under a fair and equitable framework. For the purpose of this Bill, commercial purposes are largely focused on tourism activities. 
 
The Bill further ensures that the process of reversion is undertaken in accordance with the rule of law and the principles of natural justice, provides for the active participation in the process of all parties impacted and empower existing indigenous institutions to take an active role in the control and administration of marine areas in Fiji for the benefit of the iTaukei.
 
15. Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill 2025 
Cabinet endorsed the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill 2025 (Bill) for tabling in Parliament.
 
The Bill gives legal effect to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) by providing for the recognition, protection and promotion of the rights of iTaukei (indigenous Fijians) and other indigenous peoples in Fiji recognised under the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji (Constitution), primarily the Rotuman and Banaban Peoples.
 
16. Recognition of the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company as an International Organisation in Fiji
Cabinet agreed that the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) be recognised as an “international organisation” in Fiji under the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1971 (DPI Act).
 
Cabinet also agreed that PCRIC establish/operate its principal Pacific office in Fiji.
 
A Host Country Agreement with PCRIC will be executed accordingly.
 
PCRIC is an insurance company owned by PCRIF and provides parametric insurance and associated solutions to Pacific Island Country Governments and state-owned enterprises, with the aim of extending coverage to other categories of insureds in the future.
 
17. Review of the Fiji National Policy on Aging
Cabinet was informed on the review of the Fiji National Policy on Ageing (2011-2015) (Policy).
 
The review will update and realign policy goals with the national development plan and other government frameworks as well as strengthen the commitment and accountability of National Committee on Older Persons.
 
It will also address emerging challenges and gaps in service delivery to ensure sustainable support systems for older persons, and reflect current global frameworks on healthy and active ageing.