Traumatic and destructive events in our past can never be repeated but they must also never be forgotten.
This was highlighted by the President Jioji Konrote while opening the new parliament.
Konrote says that recently we have been freed from the site of unrest, political instability and destructive racial vilification that claim our nation for decades.
The President says that threat was made against our people where violence was used as a tool of oppression and some Fijians were made to feel like strangers in their rightful homes.
Konrote says that since that time through the great effort to realize the sacred promises enshrined with the constitution, there has been dramatic and undeniable progress.
He says that institutions of state have been established which remains fiercely independent with the strength to fulfill the constitutional mandates regardless of which party forms our government.
Konrote says that this month we made our democracy more secure, we further cemented the historic achievement and legacy of the 2013 constitution through the successful conduct of our second general parliamentary elections.
Konrote says that the opening of a parliament session is a national gathering and a fitting reminder that the business of the Chambers is the business of all Fijians wherever they may be.
He says that he is proud to see more women being represented in this parliament term.
Konrote also stated that our democracy is a precious treasure which is owned by Fijian people and enshrined within the Fijian constitution.
The President says that Fiji has also seen a better life in the new development that has swept across the nation.
Konrote says when it comes to the economy, government has shown that we have a recipe that works through reliable revenue collection, a simplified tax system, sensible borrowing, visionary investment and smart confidence building economic policies which has set our economy on a path of long term enduring success.
The President also stated that he has already warned earlier that during the elections preparations that they would be tested during the campaign and would be tempted.
Konrote says leadership is not about picking a popular strategy if that means strays from the truth, it is not about playing make headlines or landing punches on opponents at the expense of national interest, leadership is about speaking the truth even when the truth is difficult to hear.
