The Parliamentary Privileges Committee has recommended to parliament that NFP parliamentarian, Tupou Draunidalo be suspended for the remainder of the term of parliament, with immediate effect from today.
Yesterday, Speaker of Parliament, Doctor Jiko Luveni had referred a matter to the committee regarding Draunidalo using offensive words in parliament when Education Minister, Doctor Mahendra Reddy was speaking in the house on Wednesday.
These are Draunidalo’s comments that was taken up to the committee.
The committee has unanimously found that Draunidalo has contravened the Standing Orders.
It said this is not only a grave and serious breach of privilege but a contempt of parliament.
The Privileges Committee recommends that Draunidalo must formally apologise in parliament while undergoing formal censure.
She must also apologise to the Minister for Education and the people of Fiji before leaving parliament.
The recommendation states that the apology must reflect the severity of the breach and the fact it has had far-reaching effects and went viral on social media here and abroad.
It further said that Draunidalo’s apology format should also recognise that the Minister for Education did not in fact utter the words “dumb natives”.
The committee said during the period of suspension, Draunidalo is not allowed to enter the parliamentary precincts including the Opposition Office.
The report further said that there is a pressing need to strengthen institutions and in particular Parliament or the Legislature which was directly and physically attacked in the coups of 1987 and 2000.
It said Draunidalo’s comments has led to a flurry of social media responses that bring parliament into serious disrepute.
The parliamentary committee said it is not the example they want to set as standard or acceptable pattern of behaviour for Members of Parliament and equally for the Fijian population because it will undermine the very institution which the constitution and which all parliamentarians need to protect to ensure that there is sustained parliamentary democracy and respect for this very critical branch of the state.
The committee said it is also critical that our children and younger population are not exposed to this type of racial slurs as the norm or see that this parliament is condoning such behaviour by a parliamentarian.
The committee report was endorsed by Chairman, Ruveni Nadalo, Inia Seruiratu, Faiyaz Koya and Rosy Akbar.
The opposition did not want to take part in the committee deliberations.
The report states that the opposition insisted on Draunidalo’s participation in the committee although the complaint was against her.
Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum then proposed that in order to overcome the impasse, both he as the complainant and Draunidalo withdraw as committee members and allow substitutes to sit in their place.
The opposition then decided not to take part in the meeting.
Debate on the committee’s recommendation for Draunidalo to be suspended for the remainder of the term of parliament and for her to make a formal apology, is now underway.
Opposition Whip, Ratu Isoa Tikoca has called for the recording to be played as he claims that Draunidalo’s comments are fabricated.
Leader of Government, Inia Seruiratu said the audio recording was heard by the committee members last night.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
