26 Sep 2007

Fiji cabinet approves establishment of new body to draft People's Charter

10:27 am on 26 September 2007

Fiji's interim cabinet has approved the setting up of a National Council for Building a Better Fiji to chart the way forward for the country.

The Fiji Times reports that before leaving for New York last night the interim prime minister, Commodore Bainimarama, said the finer details would be released later and the Council launched on Fiji Day next month.

The permanent secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, Parmesh Chand, says the Council would be responsible for drafting the People's Charter for Change and Progress following wide-ranging consultations.

According to the administration's proposal, the National Council would be supported by six national task force teams.

The National Council's first task will be to compile a "Report on the State of the Nation and the Economy".

The National Council will then identify the reforms necessary to improve Fiji to be contained in a People's Charter for Change and Progress after it is formally adopted in a national summit.

Some organisations have welcomed the move saying it will be a way forward because the public will be involved in decision making.

But opponents of the interim administration say such proposals should be left to an elected government.