Maintain committee independence

Amenatave Yaconisau

Delainavesi

Your coconut wireless by Jyoti Pratibha titled ‘Yes Parliament Can Change  Committees’ is again an indication that we need to maintain the independence of committees .

The Parliamentary Standing Committees maybe the most vital aspect  of parliamentary organisation and can be controversial at times if they don’t perform to expectation. 

They assist the main Parliament in regards the legislative process by inquiring and investigating into problems. 

They may also have power to dominate and defeat legislation they dislike if the chairman has his way. 

The chairman, obviously, has at his disposal the means to defeat unwelcomed legislation, slow down the process and frustrate the majority decisions. 

There is always the fear about interference with ministerial visions.

For our Public Accounts Committee (PAC) the chairmanship is the choice of the Leader of Opposition and the chairman’s knowledge in finance and economics is not just luck.  Section 71 of our Constitution specifies that Parliament can make Standing Orders and Rules but it is silent on amending it.

Whether the Standing Orders are working or not is the call of the Speaker according to Section 77(6)(d) and 79(5).

One thing is clear the committee set-up is an ideal opportunity to reconcile differences with wide public participation.

Thank you Qiliho

Azad Ali

Suva

I would like to acknowledge the Fiji Police Force for being alert and monitoring situation in Suva this festive season.

We especially noticed the foot patrols in Extension Street, CWM Hospital and the roundabout.

Special thanks to station officer ‘Sir’ Talib and the operations team.

As a taxpayer, the first thing we want is the safety. It’s very hard to breath and sleep easy knowing burglars maybe outside. Keep it up team.

Senior citizens

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa

Delta, BC, Canadaa

The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar did not mince her words when she called hypocrites those who put their elderly parents into Samabula Senior Citizens’ Home, did not visit them, but claiming their body when they die to perform the final rites as hypocrites.

She goes on pleading with them to do the right thing, for families to take their parents, grandparents and relatives home so that they can be re-united with them.

For Christians, the fifth commandment calls for sons and daughters to honour their parents and be blessed by God.

When parents put their own parents into these homes, their children will think that this is a norm, and when the time is right, they too will commit their parents into a senior citizens’ home.

Someone asked me a trick question as to whom will I save, my mother or wife when faced to make a life and death choice between the two?

I replied that because of marriage, we have become one flesh, so I am bound by marriage to save my wife.

He replied that I should save my mother because I can find another wife, and that I have only one mother who is irreplaceable.

To those thinking of putting their parents into senior citizens’ home, please think twice.