Government institutions and their subsidiaries should be required to provide information to any member of the public who requests it. This message was emphasized by Attorney-General Graham Leung during a media conference discussing Fiji’s Right to Information Act. He highlighted that any organization benefiting from taxpayer funds, including government, commercial, and statutory companies such as the Electricity Fiji Limited (EFL) and Water Authority, should be held accountable for transparency in their operations.

Leung specifically noted that citizens, including those in remote areas such as Lutu in Naitasiri, should be able to inquire about important issues, such as the availability of medicine at their local health center. He mentioned that the promptness of delivering requested information is crucial, as receiving information months after a request diminishes its usefulness.

The Attorney-General acknowledged that the public service may face capacity challenges but stressed the importance of timely information dissemination. Tobey Mendel, the executive director of the Centre for Law and Democracy, pointed out that enhancing efficiency in the legislation is a significant concern. Given Fiji’s smaller population, there is an opportunity to introduce innovative practices tailored for small island developing states that could set a global precedent in the Right to Information arena.

Overall, the plan is to ensure that all government branches and any entities they control or fund fall under the Right to Information Act, thereby promoting greater transparency and accountability.

This initiative is a hopeful step towards improving governance in Fiji, as it emphasizes accessibility to information and upholds the public’s right to know. Such transparency is likely to empower citizens and enhance trust in government institutions, fostering a more informed and engaged society.