Banabans push for parliamentary voice

Rabi Island deserves its own seat in Parliament and will push for representation if electoral laws are reviewed.

This is according to Rabi Administrator Iakoba Karutake, who said the absence of Banaban representation in Fiji's Parliament has left the community behind in development.

"We don't have any Banaban," Mr Karutake said.

"And that's why we've been left behind in all the developments because there's no Banaban in Parliament."

The situation contrasts sharply with Kiribati, where Banabans hold two seats in Parliament: one for those on Banaba (Ocean Island) and another for Banabans living on Rabi, represented by Mr Karutake himself.

The administrator said Rabi's significant population and operations justify dedicated representation in Fiji.

"Rabi has got a very big operation," he said.

"We deserve to be given one seat in Parliament. I'll be pushing for that, and I hope government will consider it."

With around 4,000 to 5,000 people living on Rabi and 7,000 to 8,000 Banabans across Fiji, Mr Karutake believes one parliamentary seat would ensure their voices are heard.

"We need one representative," he said.

The call comes as the Fiji Law Reform Commission conducts consultations on electoral law changes, with other ethnic minorities also seeking parliamentary representation.

"We need to push for this," Mr Karutake said.

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