There is clearly a need for improved Talanoa, a space for people to talk about the most difficult issues.

This was the comment made by the new SODELPA parliamentarian Mere Samisoni in her maiden speech in parliament this morning.

Samisoni says the Prime Minister’s supporters say he goes around the country having Talanoa with the people but she says those are mostly complaints of lack of basic services and that is not Talanoa.

She says it is called feedback and it should not just be for the Prime Minister.

Samisoni says the Prime Minister should make this available to the parliament in special reports.

She says this process will collectively link Government and the Parliament to all capital resources and the people.

In response to the Attorney General’s comments regarding the collection of ethnic data in the census, Samisoni says that as a businessperson the knowledge of the ethnic mix of the nation is critical for any commercial enterprise to succeed.

Samisoni says this information that is properly managed makes economies and countries work and they are able to serve their local market and connect to global trade and business opportunities.

She had also raised concerns about the method of getting new Members of Parliament after a vacancy is available and she says the current method is not democratic.

When asked by Fijivillage why did she choose the seat when she feels it is not democratic, Samisoni says while the system is not democratic, at least she can come and use the system to inform people that it is not democratic but we need to move into democracy

She says when a vacancy arises between elections, voters should decide their new MP.