Bill contains new process to make changes to national flag after Oct 10

A new process will have to be followed to make any changes to the national flag after the new flag is hoisted on 10th October this year.

75 percent of the Members of Parliament and 75 percent of the registered voters in the country will have to vote for any changes after the new Fijian flag is declared on the 10th of October 2015.

According to the National Flag Protection Bill which is now before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, the Prime Minister shall by notice in the gazette declare a flag as the national flag of the Republic of Fiji before 10th October this year.

Any changes to the new flag proposed after October 10th will require the support of three quarters of the Members of Parliament and three quarters of the registered voters.

Under the National Flag Protection Bill, the current Fijian flag will not be allowed to be used for commercial or trademark purposes 31 days after the new Fijian Flag is declared.

Solicitor General Sharvada Sharma highlighted this in a briefing to the Parliamentary Standing Committee today.

Committee chairman Ashneel Sudhakar then raised a question on whether the process of having a referendum to change the National Flag had ever been mentioned in any of our previous laws.

Sharma said there is no previous law which highlights the process of having a referendum to change the National Flag.

Government member on the committee Brij Lal said he is personally concerned that the bill allows for the flag to be used or worn as part of an attire or costume at any national, sporting or entertainment event, or for everyday use.

Chairman of the Parliament Standing Committee Ashneel Sudhakar said they will also try to get the public’s view on this.

Sharvada Sharma said this section of the bill is to provide for every Fijian to have pride in their national flag.

The committee will continue to hear submissions on the bill tomorrow.