Fiji's NFP says it will hold the new government to account

Transcript

Fiji's National Federation Party is aiming to be an effective opposition once parliament resumes for the first time in eight years.

NFP leader Biman Prasad says despite earlier allegations of irregularities in polling, the people of Fiji have spoken out in support of Frank Bainimarama and his Fiji First party.

Dr Prasad told Sally Round he will respect the will of the people and the three NFP MPs will work hard to hold the government to account.

BIMAN PRASAD: That is a large number in the opposition. The government has 32 members, we put together have 18 members. Our party has three members and we would like to believe that we three from the National Federation Party together with the members from the Sodelpa party will make an effective opposition. In any democracy, the opposition is as important as the government because the opposition's job is to ensure that there is transparency, accountability and good governance. And we will hold that very, very firmly as a matter of principle. And we expect the government to ensure there is a smooth functioning of the parliament and adequate resources are provided to all members of parliament including backbenchers in the government side to that members of parliament can exercise their rights, not only raising questions about policies or issues relating to government policy, but also issues that they would like to raise on behalf of the people. The system is a very difficult one because we don't have constituencies, so political parties have to work out how candidates elected under their banner are able to represent local issues from throughout the country and we do hope that individual candidates will have enough resources provided by government so that they can ensure that they are in touch with the people and that they are able to deal with the issues effectively in parliament.

SALLY ROUND: How difficult is it going to be given that very few of the people who have been given seats have actually any experience of working in parliament?

BP: That would be a challenge and I hope that there will be constant capacity building, strengthening of parliamentary processes and procedures, where members of parliament can have an opportunity to understand the operation of the parliament better and I do hope that international partners and donors, now that the election is over, will concentrate on strengthening and providing support for strengthening the parliamentary process and the work of the parliamentarians.