Lynda’s fate as coalition MP and PA member hangs by a thread

Suggestions have been made that the People Alliance Party (PA) disciplinary committee needs to consider that Member of Parliament, Lynda Tabuya, should not be punished twice for misdemeanours.

Ms Tabuya faces losing her seat in Parliament if the PA finds her guilty of bringing disrepute to the party because of her widely circulated explicit video.

It is the second time that a controversial issue involving Ms Tabuya is brought before the party’s disciplinary committee and relates to issues of the same nature.

On both occasions, her actions were deemed detrimental to the image of the party that only formed Government with majority of one.

Fiji National University Ethics, Values and Governance lecturer, Dr Mosmi Bhim says the PA party needs to consider that Ms Tabuya did not engage in any criminal activity – she made a private video for personal sharing.

“Her actions did not breach any laws, although her actions did violate good judgement and responsible behaviour that is anticipated of the higher standards of personal conduct that a minister is expected to display as a role model figure,” Dr Bhim said.

Dr Mosmi Bhim

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Dr Bhim referenced the scandal that Ms Tabuya was involved in last year in which the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, gave her the benefit of the situation.

“She was not punished by the PM for a sex and drugs related scandal, but instead was punished by the PA party earlier in 2024 when she was removed from her position as Deputy Party Leader of PA.

“For the December 2024 incident, Ms Tabuya has already been punished by the PM and therefore should not be punished again,” she said.

Does Ms Tabuya’s actions warrant her removal from the party and as a Member of Parliament?

Does her actions bring disrepute to the party – that is the values the party stands for?

What are the consequences of Ms Tabuya’s actions on the image of the party and the Coalition?

Some political commentators have said it is not about whether Ms Tabuya’s actions are legal or not, but rather if her actions violate the party’s code of conduct.

Ms Tabuya was elected into Parliament through her party that sets the standards of how each of its members must conduct themselves.

PRIVACY VS INTEGRITY
Australian National University PHD candidate, Romitesh Kant, reckons the issue is the invasion of Ms Tabuya’s privacy, which exposes the systemic misogyny and harassment women in leadership face.

“Shifting the blame to Ms Tabuya for alleged misconduct completely misses the point. It lets those who invaded her privacy off the hook and distracts from the bigger problem: the lack of safeguards to protect women in politics from personal attacks,” he said.

“Her party should be standing by her, showing support and acknowledging her contributions to PAP and the coalition instead of adding to the criticism.”

Romitesh Kant

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Mr Kant’s research explores the relationship between politics and masculinity in the Fijian national context. He has more than 15 years’ experience as an independent research consultant.

The issue was first brought to the attention of Mr Rabuka before it was taken to the party to execute due process.

Mr Rabuka acted on his constitutional mandate to dismiss Ms Tabuya as the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, based on her failure to uphold her oath and standards required of an MP.

Her dismissal was not an easy decision. The relationship between Ms Tabuya and Mr Rabuka extends beyond the boundaries of politics.

They are related by blood. But Mr Rabuka understood his actions were necessary and the right thing to do.

“I have only taken the action required of me as the Prime Minister and head of Cabinet,” Mr Rabuka said.

“I dealt with her from the Cabinet side, and the party is still free to deal with Lynda along the party lines.”

Mr Kant called out the party’s failure to support Ms Tabuya, suggesting the deep internal issues in the party.

“It seems like some members see Ms Tabuya as a political threat because of her prominence and ability to garner political support during elections. Instead of constructively addressing these internal tensions, some factions seem to be using this situation to undermine her.”

Ms Tabuya received 11,965 votes, second to Mr Rabuka.

Expelling Ms Tabuya from the party would be a risk the party has to take – considering her vote counts that could have been based on party votes or personal votes.

DUE PROCESS
The Disciplinary Committee has 21 days before reporting back to the People’s Management Committee on the outcome of their investigation into the conduct of Ms Tabuya, which will then allow the committee to decide the status of Ms Tabuya’s membership.

According to the party’s constitution:
The People’s Management Committee shall make any decision it deems fit to promote discipline and unity within the Party, including the suspension and or expulsion of the Members.

The recommendation automatically comes into full force and effect upon approval of the recommendation from the Sub-Committee where no appeal is lodged against it in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

The party leader, president and chairman do not have the power to make or overrule any decisions.

However, if Ms Tabuya is axed from the party, she may have room to negotiate the outcome of the process, which depends on the party machinery.

Dr Bhim said: “The PA party needs to consider that Tabuya received the second highest number of votes for the party in the 2022 Fiji General Election.

“Ms Tabuya needs to be given opportunity by the PA party to complete her term as a Member of Parliament. The party’s decision to let Lynda remain a member of the party may also assist Lynda to save her seat in Parliament.”

The party’s constitution clearly articulates the grounds in which a member can be disciplined or terminated from the party and offers aggrieved members the opportunity to file an appeal.

WOMEN LEADERSHIP
Dr Bhim says Ms Tabuya needs to be allowed to retain her seat in Parliament and in the party to encourage women to contest the next election.

“Women need assurance they will be given a fair chance and not punished excessively two or three times, to encourage them to join political parties to contest election,” she said

In June last year, President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, while opening the Speakers Debate in Suva, said women were under-represented in parliament and there were no real attempts to change the status quo.

“The Parliament of 1999 was the most successful with a record 16 women in Parliament –– 11.3 per cent in the House of Representatives and 25 per cent in the Senate,” he said as the Speaker of Parliament at the time.

“In this third term of Parliament, women MPs comprise just 9 per cent, a reduction from the 2022 general election outcome of 11 per cent. This is well below the Pacific average of 19.5 per cent and the world average of 26.5 per cent. And is a poorer performance compared to the last two terms of Parliament where we had 16 per cent after the 2014 general election and 19.6 per cent after 2018 general election.”

Mr Kant is of the view that actions taken against Ms Tabuya discourages women and girls who desire to become leaders.

“This environment has a chilling effect on women’s political participation, discouraging aspiring leaders from entering the field. Fiji’s deeply entrenched patriarchal norms exacerbate this dynamic, making it harder for women to rise above the dual scrutiny of their professional/political and personal lives,” he said.

He adds the damage women face is multifaceted.

“On a professional level, the credibility of women leaders like Ms Tabuya is questioned, even when the controversies are unrelated to their work. On a personal level, these attacks often result in immense psychological stress.

“Women leaders frequently must contend with invasions of privacy, defamatory remarks, and the burden of countering false allegations while maintaining their focus on governance and public service.”

He adds the lines between women politicians’ private and professional lives are often blurred in Fiji, exacerbating their challenges in an already toxic political environment.

“Women in leadership positions, such as Ms Tabuya, are subjected to heightened scrutiny that weaponises their personal lives against them. This environment is particularly unforgiving for women who do not conform to the expected mould of submissive, conservative leadership, further perpetuating the toxic dynamics of Fijian politics.

“For Ms Tabuya, invasive commentary about her private life, amplified by political rivals and social media, exemplifies how these blurred boundaries are exploited. The attacks not only overshadow her professional contributions but also create a hostile environment for other women considering entering politics.”

Mr Kant explains that to navigate this toxic landscape, it is imperative to draw clear demarcations between personal and political lives.

This requires deliberate efforts to establish boundaries that protect individual privacy while maintaining professional transparency.

VIDEO
It is understood the private video was recorded on Ms Tabuya’s phone, which was allegedly hacked.

The missing time stamp raises questions, particularly about her advocacy of a porn-free Fiji.

Was pushing for legislation to ban 17-year-olds and below from accessing pornography, her repentant advocacy?

Ms Tabuya is part of the National Taskforce to Address Pornography that is mandated to conduct a feasibility study and present findings of the harmful effects of pornography on young people.

She had told the media that the video was intended for her former husband, Robert Seamaan, and was an invasion of her privacy.

Ms Tabuya’s dismissal sets a benchmark for all MPs that no one is indispensable.

The resilience of the Coalition was tested several times over the past two years.

There is no longer the personal popularity that many Fijians had voted for, but more on the responsible national profile of the leaders.

Can Ms Tabuya come out of this hollow part of her journey? Only time will tell.

Feedback: ivamere.nataro@fijisun.com.fj