POST-CABINET STATEMENT BY THE HON. PRIME MINISTER SITIVENI RABUKA - 26/05/23

The decisions made at the ninth meeting of the Peoples’ Coalition Cabinet held Friday 26th May 2023 include the following:
 
1. Review of Statistics Act 1961
Cabinet approved the review of the Statistics Act 1961.
The Act came into force as a colonial ordinance sixty-two years ago. It is archaic and requires urgent review and modernisation. 
 
A modern Statistics law will support the Bureau of Statistics to carry out its functions independently and in accordance with international standards and best practices.
 
The Ministry of Finance and the Bureau of Statistics will undertake public and stakeholder consultations.
 
2. Memorandum of Understanding for an Air Services Agreement Between Fiji And South Korea on Code-Sharing Arrangements
Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding for an Air Services Agreement with South Korea on Code-sharing Arrangements.
 
The Memorandum of Understanding will facilitate code-sharing provisions between Fiji Airways Limited and Korean airlines as well as partnerships with third-party airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines that operate air services into Korea.
 
3. National Action Plan to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls
Cabinet approved the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence against All Women and Girls (NAP-VAWG) and its implementation strategy 2023-2028.
 
Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) is one of the most common human rights violation globally. It is unfortunate that Fiji’s rates for gender violence, are among the highest in the world.
 
The 2023–2028 National Action Plan is the first of two five-year plans to establish the foundation for Government’s long-term commitment to prevent Violence against Women and
Girls in Fiji.
 
The Coordination and Implementation of the Action Plan will be led by the Ministry of Women,
Children and Poverty Alleviation, in consultation and partnership with stakeholders to address Violence against All Women and Girls in all aspects of public and private life and across all levels of society.
 
4. Guidance Note for the National Early Childhood Care Services Policy And Regulatory Framework
Cabinet endorsed the Guidance Note for the National Early Childhood Care Services Policy and Regulatory Framework.
 
The Guidance Note is an outcome of the Cooperation Agreement between the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation. 
 
The Guidance Note will form the basis for public consultations with focused collaboration with stakeholders for the development of a National Early Childhood Care Policy and Regulatory Framework.
 
5. Technical Review of Government’s Social Assistance Programmes
Cabinet was informed of the technical review of the social assistance programmes by the Department of Social Welfare.
 
The technical review is being conducted by the Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, in collaboration with the Australian Government through its flagship social protection programme, the Partnerships for Social Protection Programme. 
 
The Review will assess the six key social assistance schemes namely:
the Poverty Benefit Scheme, 
the Social Pension Scheme, 
Care & Protection Scheme, 
Disability Allowance Scheme,  
Bus-fare Concession programme, and 
Expanded Food Voucher for Rural Pregnant Mothers.
 
6. Memorandum of Understanding with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency on the Regional Aerial Surveillance Programme
Cabinet approved the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency on the Regional Aerial Surveillance Programme (RASP).
 
RASP is intended to enhance the surveillance capability of Pacific Island countries to effectively monitor their maritime waters for illegal activities such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, people smuggling and arms trafficking, to name a few.
 
RASP will enhance Fiji’s surveillance capability as it complements our surface patrol assets to cover significantly wider areas within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ.) 
 
7. Reduction in travel allowances for all Members of Parliament
Cabinet approved the reduction in travel allowances for all Members of Parliament including the Prime Minister and Members of Cabinet. This reduction will be implemented in the 20232024 Budget.
 
Cabinet noted the current reduction of 20% of remuneration for Parliamentarians put in place since 27th March 2020 as part of economic austerity measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Cabinet also agreed that a parliamentary motion be tabled for the legislature to consider establishing a parliamentary committee to review remuneration rates payable to the Prime Minister, members of Cabinet and Members of Parliament under the Parliamentary Remunerations Act 2014. The Act provides that Parliament may appoint a committee to review allowances before it makes the determination on remuneration.
 
Similar to the review of emoluments in 2016 by a Committee of Parliament, its Report and Recommendations will be tabled for consideration by the Legislature. Parliament will make the final determination on remuneration and allowances as provided in the Parliamentary Remunerations Act 2014. 
 
8. Cabinet approves extension of visa and permit free entry to persons registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula and the descendants of all communities who have made Fiji their home including Girmitiya
 
On 12th April, 2023 Cabinet approved the review of the Immigration Act 2003 by the Office of the Attorney General which was to carry out extensive consultations before a Bill is drafted.
 
Today, Cabinet approved the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2023. The Bill will be tabled in the next Sitting of Parliament.
 
The Bill has been drafted by the Office of the Attorney General following extensive public consultations.
 
The Bill will reinstate section 8(1)(g) of the Immigration Act which was repealed in 2010. 
 
Section 8(1)(g) provides that a non-citizen whose name appears in the Vola ni Kawa Bula (VKB) be allowed entry to Fiji without a permit or visa, under the Immigration Act 2003.
 
The public and community consultations on the review of the Act also heard submissions from the public and members of the community for non-citizens who are descendants of communities who have made Fiji their home including the descendants of Girmitiya, to also be able to enter and/or reside in Fiji without permit or visa. This will include descendants of Rotuman, Chinese, European, Ni-Vanuatu and Solomon Islander communities and other communities including Pacific Island communities who have made Fiji their home and contributed to the development of the nation. 
 
Cabinet approved the exempted categories to be added to the list of non-citizens who may enter and reside in Fiji without permit or visa. Cabinet authorised the Minister for Home Affairs, National Security & Immigration to issue Regulation under section 8(3) of the Immigration Act 2003 to add the exempted categories to the list of persons who may enter or reside in Fiji without a visa or permit.
 
The intent is to facilitate the return of non-citizens who are descendants of communities who have made Fiji their home to visit and/or reside in Fiji. 

9. Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2023
Cabinet approved the Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2023. The Bill will be tabled in the next Sitting of Parliament June 12-16, 2023.
 
The Bill is the outcome of extensive public and community consultations on the review of the opening hours of nightclubs and the permitted hours during which liquor can be sold. Cabinet authorised the review of the Liquor Act at its meeting held 11th April 2023.
 
The Bill proposes to remove “Special Zones” from the Liquor Act. 

10. Direct Funding Arrangement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Fiji for the Fiji Sustainable Growth and Resilient Budget Support Programme
 
Cabinet approved a Direct Funding Arrangement with the Government of Australia for the Sustainable Growth and Resilient Budget Support Programme.
 
For the last three fiscal years, the Australian Government has contributed a total of AUD $188.00 million to the Fiji Government towards the Fiji Sustainable and Resilient Budget Support Programme (Programme), to assist with Fiji’s economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. 
 
Recently, the Australian Government had pledged additional AUD 55 million grant funding towards the Programme. 
 
This grant funding will be facilitated and finalised through the execution of the Arrangement approved by Cabinet today.
 
11. G​rant Agreement Between Government of the Republic of Indonesia 
Cabinet approved a Grant Agreement with the Republic of Indonesia for approximately FJ$500,000. The grant will fund a preliminary study on the development of a Demonstration Farm and a Regional Training Centre (Project) at Dobuilevu Research Station, in Rakiraki.
 
The Project is the first multi-year Indonesian flagship initiative in the agriculture sector and is supported by Indonesian AID.
 
The Grant will finance the preliminary study, detailed engineering design, and preparation of bidding documents for the construction of a Demonstration Farm and Regional Training Centre at Dobuilevu Research Station, Rakiraki.
 
12. Fiji’s participation at the Seventh Melanesian Arts & Culture Festival 2023
Cabinet endorsed the participation of a national delegation to the 7th Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFEST) 2023 in Vanuatu.
 
The MACFEST is held every four years to promote Melanesian cultural and artistic expression including traditional and contemporary art forms.  
 
The festival brings together about 2000 artists and performers from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands. 
 
This year’s MACFEST will coincide with the Vanuatu National Day celebrations. 
 
The decision underscores Government’s commitment to Melanesian solidarity and honours our obligation as a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. 
 
13. National Cultural Policy 2023-2033
Cabinet approved the National Cultural Policy 2023-2033.
The Policy is grounded in the philosophy of inclusivity and multiculturalism. It is intended to safeguard the rich diversity of cultural resources which are our collective cultural heritage. 
 
The Policy objective is to:
safeguard, enhance and transfer forms of national heritage to the current and future generations, 
foster creativity,
enhance genuine intercultural and intergenerational dialogue among Fiji’s diverse cultures, and 
promote cultural and sustainable tourism.
 
The implementation of the Policy will be led by the Department of Culture, Heritage and Arts in the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Culture & Heritage.
 
14. Memorandum of Agreement between the Ministry of Forestry and the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management And Rehabilitation 
Cabinet approved the execution by the Ministry of Forestry of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet). The Agreement is intended to facilitate cooperation in the area of forestry research and development and promote sustainable production of Sandalwood in Fiji.
 
APFNet is a regional non-profit committed to helping the economies and people of the AsiaPacific region by promoting and improving sustainable forest management and forest rehabilitation.  Fiji, through the Ministry of Forestry, is a member country. 
 
The assistance of APFNet will see the establishment of two fully equipped state nurseries and 65 hectares of Sandalwood plantation for research and development purposes to boost its Sandalwood resources and improve livelihoods sustainably. 
 
15. Agreement with the International Tropical Timber Organisation 
Cabinet approved the execution of an Agreement with the International Tropical Timber Organisation and the Ministry of Forestry for Phase 2 of the ‘Community Based Restoration and Sustainable Management of Vulnerable Mangrove Forests through the empowerment of coastal communities and women in the Rewa Delta, Viti Levu, Fiji’ project.
 
The project addresses the problem associated with overpopulation and pressure on resource exploitation through the establishment of demonstration sites for rehabilitation and sustainable management of coastal and mangrove wetlands. 
 
The six villages that are Project sites include Muanaira and Narocake in the Rewa Province and Natila, Waicoka, Naivakacau and Nasilai in the Tailevu Province.
 
The expected outcomes of the Project include:
Improving livelihoods in vulnerable coastal communities through the empowerment of women’s groups to accelerate rapid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; 
restoration of degraded mangrove forests to protect coastlines against natural disasters such as storms, tsunami and coastal erosion while contributing to climate mitigation and adaptation; 
maintenance and enhancement of traditional knowledge in environmental conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources; and
improved policies and community support facilities to strengthen the collaboration among stakeholders for community-based management governance structures.
 
16. Pacific Anti-Corruption Regional Conference
Cabinet approved the hosting of the Pacific Anti-Corruption Regional Conference later this year.
 
The conference objective is to foster regional cooperation for addressing corruption towards good governance and sustainable development in Pacific Island Countries (Conference).
 
The Conference will bring together a range of anti-corruption institutions/practitioners from the Pacific region, as well as regional and international anti-corruption and sustainable development experts and practitioners to exchange knowledge and experiences and facilitate further regional and international professional networks towards advancement of international and regional anti-corruption commitments. 
 
The Conference will be co-hosted and organised by the Office of the Attorney–General and FICAC and UNDP Pacific.
 
17. Pacific Heads of Intellectual Property Conference 2023 
Cabinet approved the hosting of the Pacific Islands Heads of Intellectual Property Office Conference 2023 by the Fiji Intellectual Property Office (FIPO). 
 
The conference will be funded by the World Intellectual Property Office. 
 
Traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expression and genetic resources are encompassed under the umbrella of intellectual property. 
 
The Fiji Intellectual Property Office (FIPO) function is to oversee intellectual property matters in Fiji and comes under the responsibility of the Attorney-General.
 
The conference is an interactive forum for the national intellectual property offices to facilitate dialogue on intellectual property development issues.