The National Security and Defence Review Report has indicated that Fiji’s National Security and Defence Council lacks a legislative or constitutional foundation. Released yesterday by Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua, the report states that any actions taken by the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) must be approved by the Cabinet.
“The NSDC needs a formal legal framework to operate effectively. Furthermore, it requires a dedicated Secretariat, which the Ministry of Home Affairs can establish using its existing resources. The functions and authority of the NSDC will be enhanced by the formation of a Secretaries Committee on National Security that will support its efforts,” Tikoduadua noted.
The Council is made up of key figures including 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.
As a republic, Fiji’s governance structure grants executive authority to the President, who operates based on the counsel of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister carries out primary executive responsibilities, including national security, through collaborative decisions made by the Cabinet. Unlike other Westminster-style governments, in Fiji, the Cabinet’s formation is explicitly outlined in the 2013 Constitution.