Speaker refers PM and Tikoduadua's incidents to Parliamentary Privileges Committee

Speaker of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has referred the incident involving National Federation Party President and MP Pio Tikoduadua personally attacking Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s family and the alleged incident of the Prime Minister confronting Tikoduadua within the parliamentary precincts on August 9th this year, to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee.

The first Parliamentary Privileges Committee meeting chaired by Deputy Speaker, Veena Bhatnagar will start this hour.

The committee members are Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Minister for Defence Inia Seruiratu, Assistant Minister for Employment Alvick Maharaj, Leader of the Opposition Sitiveni Rabuka and SODELPA MP Adi Litia Qionibaravi.

Ratu Epeli says there is a breach of privilege by both Tikoduadua and the Prime Minister, and to ensure decorum in parliament, the matter has to be referred to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee.

The Speaker says Tikoduadua made certain accusations against the Prime Minister during the debate, and the Prime Minister then alleged that Tikoduadua had personally attacked him. 

He says Tikoduadua later got up and raised a point of order, saying that he was allegedly physically assaulted by the Prime Minister.

Ratu Epeli says in the afternoon of August 9th, the Prime Minister visited the Speaker and apologised to him and Parliament.

He says Bainimarama also wanted to meet with Tikoduadua to offer an apology in the presence of the Speaker on the same day.

The Speaker said that he tried to arrange a meeting with Bainimarama and Tikoduadua, however Tikoduadua said that he was not available to come to the meeting.

Ratu Epeli says NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad also wrote to the Speaker on the same day requesting to secure CCTV footage of parliament for that day and informing Ratu Epeli of his intention to take the matter to the Privileges Committee.

The Speaker says he has viewed the CCTV footage and read the Daily Hansard for the day.

He says Parliament is an independent arm of the state and is fully entitled to take such measures it deems fit to maintain its integrity and decorum, and to take action for breach of privilege or contempt of parliament.

Ratu Epeli says the Fijian constitution and the parliamentary standing orders are clear - that whatever happens in the parliamentary precincts is vested in the Speaker. He says it is the Speaker’s responsibility to secure and maintain the honour and dignity of parliament.

The Speaker has told the committee headed by Deputy Speaker, Veena Bhatnagar to come back with their report and recommendations this Thursday.

Parliament is then expected to debate on the Privileges Committee report before a vote is taken.

We are now trying to get confirmation on whether NFP will participate in this discussion.

Stay with us for developments. 

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