Opposition opposes the repeal of Media Act 2010

Opposition members have questioned the Government as to why consultations were not done to repeal the Media Industry Development Act 2010 and why Parliamentary Standing Orders 51 are being used for the first Bill they have tabled in Parliament after coming into office.

The motion to repeal the Media Industry Development Act 2010 was tabled in Parliament by Attorney-General Siromi Turaga.

FijiFirst MP Mosese Bulitavu says the other side has been criticizing the previous government for using Standing Orders 51, and now their first Bill, they have gone back to their vomit.

He questions why the people were not consulted but only the executives.

Bulitavu also called on the AG to reconsider tabling the Bill.

Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya says the coalition government should practice what they preach.

Koya also questioned the AG about what new legislation is coming in as the Act will be repealed.

He says everyone had freedom of expression, and FijiFirst followed the Constitution.

FijiFirst MP Jone Usamate says they are flabbergasted that the government is acting in such a way. He says when they were in Government, they only used Standing Orders 51 either for consequential amendments or for minor changes to an Act.

In his right of reply, the Attorney General highlighted that the people have been calling for this change as they will benefit from this.

He says the repeal is not for the FijiFirst Party but the whole of Fiji.

The debate on the repeal of the Media Industry Development Act 2010 will be on Thursday.