Former Secretary-General to Parliament, Mary Chapman, made a notable statement yesterday, referring to the current state of Parliament as a “Banana Parliament.” Her remarks were sparked by comments from Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry Charan Jeath Singh and a response from Opposition MP Parveen Kumar.
Chapman expressed her dismay over the tone and behavior exhibited in the House, emphasizing that such confrontations were not commonplace during her tenure. She insisted that the Speaker would have intervened immediately in her day to maintain order.
“It’s not like a Parliament anymore. It’s just like a Banana Parliament. People are calling each other murderers and liars. All these are unbecoming. Those are not parliamentary language. People are treating the Parliament as a place where they can joke across the aisle. So, where are we going?” Chapman stated.
With her extensive experience, Chapman is well-qualified to critique the current conduct of parliamentarians. She underscored the seriousness of parliamentary responsibilities, highlighting that such insults were once met with suspensions.
It is concerning to witness the level of disrespect being displayed in Parliament. For 13 years leading up to the 2022 General Elections, parliamentary sessions often normalized heckling, with MPs booed and shouted down during speeches, all broadcasted live.
The pressing question now is when order and respect will be reinstated in parliamentary proceedings. Are we neglecting the principles of decorum and dignity? Is there readiness to address the issue of unparliamentary language?
Chapman’s observations shed light on the troubling trajectory of political conduct in Fiji. As an experienced voice in governance, she reminds us that Parliament should serve as a platform for serious discussions and public service, not a venue for personal attacks and theatrics.
“We risk eroding the very foundation of democratic governance when we become desensitized to what is wrong,” she cautioned. The challenge lies in striving to uphold the integrity of Parliament through respectful dialogue and civility. As Chapman pointed out, “Somebody has to put their foot down unless you want this to be a real Banana Parliament.”