Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has stated that people who wish to be elected in government should set the tone for the rest of the nation.
Speaking in Natadola, Commodore Bainimarama said previously there is deep cynicism amongst Fijians generally about MP’s who are elected only to disappear until the next election.
However, Commodore Bainimarama has reminded the participants that Fiji is just 10 months away from elections and said that being elected to parliament does not give one the license to no longer be accountable and higher standard is demanded from MPs.
Commodore Bainimarama added to avoid corruption the government will soon introduce a Freedom of Information law which will set new standards in requiring a Minister’s assets and liabilities to be declared and updated on a yearly basis.
He said the government will also attract high quality candidates to political office and pay them well and they certainly cannot have people joining Parliament because they cannot get a job elsewhere, which has been the case in Fiji in the past.
Commodore Bainimarama has confirmed a number of international experts are working with the Elections Office to help us avoid some of the deficiencies of the last election in terms of logistics and other discrepancies.
Story by: Aliki Bia
