16 Dec 2004

Fiji chiefs want higher debating standards in parliament

4:08 pm on 16 December 2004

A motion has been moved at the Great Council of Chiefs to write a letter asking MPs if they can change the way they debate in the parliament.

It was moved by a Methodist church minister, the Reverend Isireli Caucau, who is the father of the minister for women, Adi Asenaca Caucau.

The Reverend Caucau says the conduct and performance of MPs is ungentlemanly, and MPs should discuss how to build up the nation, not focus on pulling it down.

The Reverend Caucau says the letter seemed a popular idea with the chiefs.

"I hope they'll support because whilst I said that, during the recess, they come and thank me and they said we should do that at once, we should do these things. Many of them they have seen what is going on in the parliament."

The motion will be discussed at the next meeting of the Great Council of Chiefs in the new year.

Fiji's prime minister, Laisenia Qarase later told a reporter that the issue had been a matter of concern to him for some time and he hoped members improve their behaviour from next year.