Check-in at Sydney

Simon Hazelman,  Savusavu

What turned out to be a blast of a weekend at the Sydney 7s came to an abrupt halt  when it came to check-in time at Kingsford Airport to return home with Fiji Airways.

The information screen posted F:10-16 as check-in counters for FJ910.

As both tourists and locals lined up in the economy class line, we found ourselves being served by just one counter compared to three for a handful of business passengers.

The snail-moving line got the better of my patience and I couldn’t help but abruptly question the only staff on the floor why three of the four counters designated for economy check-in wasn’t being serviced, particularly as there was over a hundred and twenty passengers lined up waiting.

The answer we got was to lodge our grievances with the Fiji Airways management who were responsible for the number of counters to be used.

Clearly Fiji Airways doesn’t give two hoots about an efficient check-in for economy class passengers. After further investigation at the counter I was told that it’s become a regular occurrence.

In front and behind us were tourists and they too were pretty upset with the situation.

Motion

Sukha Singh,  Labasa

How about if the Government of the day files a motion of no confidence on the Leader of Opposition?

Dumb and dumber

Epeli Rabua,  Suva

I thought this was the name of a movie, however, this situation is being acted out in our own Parliament sittings, each and every day.

Dumb. The Minister for Defence replying to the Opposition’s question on why was the Russian military aid of guns, ammunition and what not was never brought up in Parliament for discussion and budgeting?

He replied that arms shipments are secret. He added that they negotiated this arms shipment way back in 2013!

In a real democratic government, arms purchases and all things pertaining to good governance are discussed openly in Parliament.

From negotiation to delivery, and for three years, Fiji was kept in the dark on this military aid.

Arms are shipped around the world almost every day. Governments through which they pass know about it and give the regulatory approval for its onward delivery, unless it was to be kept secret to arm Fiji’s well-dressed militia or military.

And he concluded with a dumb grin that it cost $19million as an afterthought.

Dumber. The Minister for Sugar replying to Opposition’s legal question regarding the Sugar Tribunal.

He answered that the question was a legal one and that since he was not a lawyer, it would be better to refer the question to the Attorney-General. Really?

We see almost all the ministries in the FijiFirst Government deferring to the Attorney-General to speak on and answer all or most of the Opposition’s queries and questions.