3 Jun 2005

Many in New Zealand's Fiji community criticise reconciliation Bill

7:14 am on 3 June 2005

Many members of New Zealand's Fiji community say they object to a controversial Bill that could see those jailed for the 2000 coup set free, including the ring leader George Speight.

A former deputy prime minister Tupene Baba says the Reconciliation and Unity Bill will foster disharmony and inequity.

The former head of the Fiji Methodist Church, Reverend Ilaitia Sevati Tuwere says the army is attending the bill reading because it sees it as bad legislation.

And another community member, Nevill Wilson, says the Fijian Government is ignoring the people's wishes .

But a community leader Lopeti Fiaki says the Government knows what it is doing and should be left alone.