WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE AN"EXPERT"?. Former Brigadier Andrew Nikolic, Liberal candidate for Bass, Launceston, Tasmania, an expert on Iraq and Afghanistan, who to my knowledge has no special knowledge on Fiji and has never visited the Republic, says the lifting of PER is "a meaningless gesture, as is the promise of meaningful constitutional consultations." He states that the "return to democracy will "require a coalescence of opposition voices in Fiji - the church and people like Laisenia Qarase and Mahendra Chaudry. In the meantime, Australia should stop giving Bainimarama's illegal regime any recognition or praise for these small steps." Good gracious! Advance, please. Australia fair
FEMLINK'S SHARON BHAGWAN ROLLS says it’s crucial that women be able to participate in the consultation process. “Our concern is that you can have a process at the national level but unless communities at the grassroots level, and we’re talking about rural women who live 20-30 kilometres away from a main centre, their local town. How do they get involved?”She hopes the interim government will take into account that it’s not just about inviting people and presenting them with a draft document.
MIKE BEDDOES. The former parliamentary Opposition leader says that "by lifting the PER and with it the media censorship, the PM is creating the positive environment necessary in which these [constitutional] talks can proceed with a fair amount of confidence and sincerity."
NGO NETWORK URGES UNDER-PRIVILEGED PROTECTED IN CONSTITUTION. Fiji largest Child Protection Network is urging Government for nationwide consultation on the drafting of Fiji’s new Constitution that includes unprivileged citizens. Protecting Our Children In Fiji, Coordinator Karishma Kumar said their Network requests Government to ensure that the Constitution Review Committee visits areas that include squatter/informal settlements, remote parts of Fiji, rural areas, orphanage homes and homes for the unprivileged citizens. She added the new constitution can help to alleviate poverty which is multidimensional and create a just, decent and humane society for all in Fiji.
BUSINESSMAN Charan Jeath Singh has won a court declaration that he and one of his companies did not in any way support the 2000 George Speight coup.
AIR PACIFIC POSTS LOSS BUT LESS THAN LAST YEAR. Air Pacific reported an operating loss of $3.6M for the financial year ending March 2011 which is a significant reduction in losses compared to the operating loss of 91.8 million dollars for the previous year. It has been quite challenging according to the Managing Director and CEO of Air Pacific, Dave Pflieger but he said it has also been exciting and action packed so far. He said the main issue was cutting costs and getting ready for competition.
CASSINO BENEFITS, Fiji's first casino is expected to create 800 new jobs and be another stimulant to the tourism industry. The project will include a $290 million, 5-star luxury casino resort on Denarau Island. The first phase will include 190 luxury rooms and suites, three restaurants, and a sports grill, with the second phase to include more accommodation, a nightclub, and other entertainment venues. There will be 500 slot machines and 54 table games at the casino, while the 1500-seat convention centre will feature fully equipped banquet and catering capabilities.
NEW JETTY FOR RABI.The construction of the new $3m Rabi Island jetty is part of the government's plan to help Rabi and neighbouring islands. The jetty and causeway is scheduled to be completed by April. Rabi islanders have a special place in Fiji's history. They are from the formerly rich phosphate island of Banaba that is now part of Kiribati. Royalties from phosphate helped the Banabans set up businesses in the main island but mismanagement and internal discord saw most businesses and investments fail. Rabi Island, located on the S.E. coast of Vanua Levu. is largely self-governing.
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