Speaker Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu announced yesterday that there will be two distinct opposition groups within Parliament. This development arises from the 25 Independent Members of Parliament who were previously part of the FijiFirst opposition.
During the parliamentary session, Ratu Naiqama stated that one working group, consisting of 16 members, will be led by the Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu. The second group, comprising nine members, will be headed by Ioane Naivalurua. Additionally, one member is pending an appeal regarding the deregistration of FijiFirst.
“My office has received notifications from the 25 members indicating their status as Independents,” Ratu Naiqama explained. “Several of them communicated this to me directly, while others made declarations during debates in the house affirming their independent status.”
He noted that one member is still waiting on a decision from the Electoral Commission regarding his appeal and has yet to inform him of his final decision. Ratu Naiqama confirmed that according to Standing Orders, there will be two working groups in the opposition.
The group led by Inia Seruiratu will have Jone Usamate as their whip and Ketan Lal as the deputy whip, while the group of nine led by Ioane Naivalurua will have Viliame Naupoto as their whip and Alipate Tuicolo as deputy whip.
In total, all 26 members will continue to function as the Opposition, split into these two groups. Ratu Naiqama also mentioned that there will be a review of the membership in the standing committees and select committees to reflect fair representation for both working groups, as stipulated in the Standing Orders.
Further announcements regarding these arrangements are expected later in the week.