Aussie reject
Sameer Kasim, Canada
"Certain countries with a colonial mentality like to project the extraterritoriality and superficial application of their law for domestic public consumption.
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It is worth remembering that John Howard's uncompromising stance in refusing to admit refugees to the mainland and keeping them 600 km away on Nauru won him another term in office. A strong anti-immigrant stance had appealed to the baser instincts of the then Australian voter.
Bear in mind that Scott Morrison has only a 1 seat advantage in parliament. A nervous and shaky government, always looking over its shoulder to keep political vultures at bay is most susceptible to conduct misadventures in a bid to shore up its national security credentials and look good in the eyes of its core supporters. This best explains Dutton's arrogance and incompetence in annulling the citizenship of one of its own and trying to foist him onto a bewildered country with no clear links therein for over 30 years !!
Mercifully, the 2013 Constitution has cut the imaginary umbilical cord which connected Neil's dad to the latter's country of birth. Any which way one looks at it, the argument should end right there.
Australia's PM, cutting across party lines usually does not go on official or working visits to island nation-states as that would be belittling the high office he holds.
Even to Forum meetings, he finds an alibi to stay away from. Scott's hurriedly put together visit as an afterthought is designed to apply maximum economic pressure on an exasperated RJVB by way of inducements and dangling of other carrots. I would humbly urge the honourable PM to stand his ground.
Under Howard and later Rudd when the times were really bad with those governments being openly hostile, undermining the country's interests at every fora, 3 were sent packing in one direction and 2 in the other. The sky didn't fall.
As it turned out, both the countries recalibrated their entire approach in dealing with a gutsy and principled PM. Since then, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge, with the relations being on even keel.
So far, the country's economy is diversifying and its infrastructure developed with loans from ADB, local and international partners assured by the economic trajectory, stability and investor-friendly climes provided by the Bainimarama Government.
The Ratu Mara era of a fledgling democracy desirous of foreign aid is long gone and the country has come of age. She can learn to say No.
It is also incumbent upon the government to wean the country away from foreign aid as that nearly always comes with all sorts of strings attached. For that to happen, they must generate enough wealth and spread it around whilst accounting for the last dollar.
From everything we have seen all these years, this government is fully cognisant of the need to share national resources equitably and take everyone along.
In the meantime, Canberra can discharge their abortion in the vast expanse of the outback. I would like to thank this newspaper for putting up a spirited defence of our national interests.
Without representation
Tim Howick-Smith, Lami
"No taxation without representation" is a slogan originating in 1761 that reflected the resentment of the American colonists in the then Thirteen Colonies, at being taxed by a British Parliament to which they were not able to elect any representatives. It is considered to be one of the major causes of the American Revolution.
There have recently been numerous articles and letters in the media from members of the public expressing their frustration at the protracted delays in the reintroduction of Town Mayors and Councillors who, unlike the current Special Administrators, would be elected by and answerable to ratepayers for the use of their rates. Surely genuine local government should encourage and enable members of the public to participate directly in the transparent and accountable manner in which the towns in which they live are managed and run.
I am not advocating the withholding of rates.
However, if the principle of “No taxation without representation” was applicable to the American colonists in 1761 should not the concept of “No rates without representation”, (in the form of elected Mayors and Councillors) be considered in Fiji in 2019?
SODELPA Row
Simon Hazelman, Savusavu
While Intra-party politics and conflicts are normal, SODELPA always seems to do it over petty issues.
Issues that if they were smart enough, should be kept and dealt with within the party.
Nothing but childish drama!
Dirty political linen
Dharmendra Kumar, Suva
Political parties try their hardest to keep their internal bickering in-house but occasionally the dirty linen gets a public airing. SODELPA right now is trying their best to defuse the disagreement between opposition whip Lynda Tabuya and MP Mosese Bulitavu but unfortunately it’s out in the open. The opposition leader will no doubt say that disagreements are healthy and democracy is on a roll. In my opinion, we spend a lot of time bickering at a great cost, and actually very little time coming up with concrete solutions to further the interest of Fiji as a nation.
When a party is filled with strife neither will the party nor the nation prosper. Bickering is also a sign of weak leadership and a weak foundation. Things built on a weak foundation will eventually crumble.
I respect the person who is vocal but I kind of dislike the same person time and again trying to get attention. Sometimes it may be a good idea to clip some wings to stop this constant bickering which is becoming a nuisance.
Bid for young leaders
Amenatave Yaconisau, Delainavesi
Tomasi Boginiso who wrote on the above topic in this newspaper(FS 9/1)should realize that people have a constitutional right under section 23(2) which must be followed not the wishes of the Minister. The Constitution is the highest authority in the land. Otherwise anybody can do anything against the Constitution.
Another Drowning Victim
Tomasi Boginiso, Suva
Despite repeated warnings by Police for parents to monitor their children and keep them indoors during this adverse weather and keeping them away from swimming in floodwaters on Monday, it has claimed another life. Just a few days from the new school year a primary school student lost his life while swimming with his friends in Taveuni.
During TC Mona Police repeatedly asked parents to keep their children safe and it's not the role of the Police to be vigilant over children and know their whereabouts. Another family goes mourning at the beginning of the school year. The parents should be taken to task regarding the loss of their child. Please for a few more days before school starts keep your children safe.
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