The interim cabinet has incorporated the recommendations on the proposed changes to the Great Council of Chiefs by the Special Task Force, into the Fijian Affairs GCC regulations 2008.

Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama said this has been endorsed by cabinet and it is clearly time to change the direction of the GCC.

The Special Task Force appointed to review the GCC carried out wide consultations throughout Fiji via the 14 Provincial Councils, Rotuma Island Council and down to the Turaga Ni Vanua, Turaga Ni Yavusa and Turaga Ni Mataqali level.

Commodore Bainimarama said a total of 4,912 chiefs were consulted apart from the councils. He said it was clear from discussions with the Special Task Force and from their briefings to the sub-committee that there was overwhelming support from chiefs to the work undertaken by the Task Force and for the review of the GCC, which according to the chiefs was long overdue.

Bainimarama reveals that the decision of the cabinet on the new regulations which integrates the recommendations of the Task Force as endorsed by the cabinet sub-committee will now be taken for discussions at the Provincial Councils before they are formalized.

The actual changes are yet to be revealed.