Speaker backs Usamate over parking fine

Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko yesterday ruled that Constitution Avenue in Suva, adjacent to the Parliament complex and Government Buildings, falls within the Parliamentary Precinct and is subject to his jurisdiction.

The ruling relates to a parking fine issued to Opposition MP Jone Usamate while he was parked along the avenue during Parliamentary duties.

Mr Jitoko told Parliament the precinct, as defined under Section 2 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act 1965, extended beyond the Chamber to areas “provided for the purposes of Parliament”.

“The Chair holds the view that access to the Parliament Chambers is principally by way of the Constitutional Avenue,” he said.

Mr Usamate was fined on August 12 and had described the ticket as an “overreach” on social media.

Speaking after the ruling, Mr Usamate said he had not paid the fine. “Because to me, it should not have been done in the first place,” he said.

He said Parliament was “a people’s house” with its own rules and privileges that must be respected, but stressed this did not place MPs above the law.

Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu earlier defended the traffic officer, saying he “was simply doing his job” and had correctly identified the infringement.

Fiji Police Force spokesperson Ana Naisoro, responding to the Speaker’s ruling yesterday, referred back to the Commissioner’s earlier statement that Mr Usamate could challenge the fine in court.

Mr Jitoko said the Office of the Speaker remained committed to protecting Parliamentary privileges while cooperating with relevant authorities.