Youth leader calls for retirement age and term limits for politicians

There should be a retirement age for politicians contesting the General Election and a limit on how many terms elected leaders can serve in Government, says National Youth Council of Fiji president Laisani Sapo.

Ms Sapo made the comments following day three of the inaugural Youth Worker Essential Workshop for the Northern Division, funded by Pacific Australia Skills held in Labasa.

She said if civil servants were required to retire at 60, similar rules should be considered for politicians to ensure leaders remained medically fit and capable.

However, Ms Sapo did not suggest a specific retirement age, saying the issue should be discussed through public consultation.

She said retirement age limits and term limits should be considered important eligibility requirements for those seeking elected office.

“There should be fairness in public office as well since ordinary civil servants work until 60 before they have to retire, so a retirement age rule for politicians contesting elections should apply as well,” she said.

Ms Sapo said while the contributions and experience of older leaders remained valuable, more opportunities should be created for younger leaders.

“We need to ask ourselves as youths whether our Government is implementing policies that benefit young people,” she said.

She added that knowledge and leadership experience from older generations should be passed on to younger leaders to strengthen youth representation in Parliament.

Ms Sapo noted that some leaders within the Coalition Government had served more than two terms since entering politics.

When asked whether young Members of Parliament should be given ministerial positions in future governments, Ms Sapo said capable young politicians should be considered for leadership roles.

“We need to trial youths in ministerial-level positions, or they should be given opportunities as assistant ministers if they contribute strongly to their political parties,” she said.

Fiji Labour Party politician Alan Tuinasoni said leadership should not be judged by age alone.

Mr Tuinasoni said experienced politicians understood election campaigning and strategies developed over many years in politics.

He said the Fiji Labour Party valued youth participation and regarded young people as important contributors to national governance.

“I do believe youths need to step up and join politics to contribute their ideology to the nation’s success,” he said.