The National Security and Defence Review Report has disclosed that Fiji’s National Security & Defence Council lacks a legislative or constitutional foundation. The report, released by the Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua, indicates that any decisions made by the National Security & Defence Council (NSDC) must be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
According to the report, the NSDC requires a formal legal framework to operate effectively. It also needs a well-resourced Secretariat, which the Ministry of Home Affairs is able to establish using its existing resources. The report highlights that the capabilities of the NSDC will be enhanced by creating a Secretaries Committee on National Security to support its functions.
The Council is made up of the Prime Minister, the Minister for Home Affairs, the Attorney-General, and the Minister for Finance. The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs acts as the secretary, while the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Commissioner of Police are permanent members of the NSDC.
In Fiji’s Republic system, executive authority is vested in the President, who operates based on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister carries out the key executive functions of government, including matters related to national security, via collective decision-making within the Cabinet.
In contrast to other Westminster-style governments, Fiji’s Cabinet is not formed by tradition but is specifically defined in the 2013 Constitution.