Fiji’s opposition walked out of the first parliament seating of 2021 today after Speaker of the House Ratu Epeli Nailatikau declined to accommodate an urgent question and a motion they had filed.
Ratu Epeli said the two matters were not urgent and did not require the immediate attention of the Fijian Parliament or the government.
National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad had filed an urgent oral question and, the Leader of Opposition, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, an adjournment motion, particulars of which will be disclosed at a press conference soon.
“I received an urgent oral question from Professor Biman Prasad this morning. I had a look at the question and ruled that the question is not of urgent character and relates to a matter of public importance. Therefore it does not qualify as an urgent question under Standing Order 43 (1),” Ratu Epeli said.
“I also received an adjournment motion from Leader if Opposition under Standing Order 36. I have considered the nature of the adjournment motion and ruled that matters raised in the adjournment motion are not something that requires the immediate attention of parliament or the government. Therefore adjournment motion is disallowed under Standing Order 36 (2).”
