The Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says there was no referendum conducted for the current national flag so there is no need to have one on the new flag.

He made this clear when he responded to Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa in Parliament yesterday.

Ro Teimumu had asked the PM for a referendum to be conducted to find whether people wanted this change or otherwise.

The Prime Minister said that Fijians in Fiji and abroad had shown their support on the new change.

Time for a change

“It is time to have a national symbol that reflects our present and future as a nation,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“The Union Jack, the British lion, the cross of St George are British symbols, not ours.

“As an independent nation we have the right to carve out our identity in the world.

“So that when our soldiers are on peacekeeping missions; when our athletes are competing on the world stage; they are doing so under a flag that is uniquely and proudly Fijian,” he said.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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