Senate (Fiji)
Encyclopedia
The Senate of Fiji
is the upper chamber of Parliament. It is the less powerful of the two chambers; it may not initiate legislation, but may amend or veto it. The Senate's powers over financial bills are more restricted: it may veto them in their entirety, but may not amend them. The House of Representatives
may override a Senatorial veto by passing the bill a second time in the parliamentary session immediately following the one in which it was rejected by the Senate, after a minimum period of six months. Amendments to the Constitution
are excepted: the veto of the Senate is absolute. Following the passage of a bill by the House of Representatives, the Senate has 21 days (7 days in the case of a bill classified as "urgent") to approve, amend, or reject it; if at the expiry of that period the Senate has done nothing about it, it is deemed to have passed the bill.
for five-year terms coinciding with the term of the House of Representatives. Constitutionally, however, the President is required to accept the nominees of specified institutions. 14 Senators are chosen by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs)
, though in practice it has chosen to delegate this prerogative to Fiji's 14 Provincial Councils
, each choosing one Senator. A further 9 Senators are chosen by the Prime Minister and 8 by the Leader of the Opposition
. The one remaining Senator is selected by the Council of Rotuma
, a Fijian dependency.
From among their own members, the Senators elect a President and Vice-President, whose roles are similar to those of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. As of September 2006, the President of the Senate is Ratu
Kinijoji Maivalili
; the Vice-President is Hafiz Khan
. They were chosen in June 2006 to replace Taito Waqavakatoga
and Kenneth Low
, both of whom had retired from the Senate.
The built-in near-majority of Fijian chiefs in the Senate gives them an effective veto over contentious social legislation, as well as constitutional amendments, provided they vote as a block, as they will almost certainly be joined by enough other senators to muster a majority. In addition, any changes to clauses of the constitution guaranteeing indigenous Fijian
ownership and control of most of the land must be approved by 9 of the 14 Senators chosen by the Great Council of Chiefs, as well as by a majority in the Senate as a whole.
Senators, like their fellow-parliamentarians from the House of Representatives, may be appointed to the Cabinet
- the executive arm of government.
was replaced by the bicameral Parliament. The Senate has been restructured twice since the original constitutional structures went into effect.
From 1972 to 1987, the Senate consisted of 22 members. Appointed by the Governor-General
on the nomination of the Great Council of Chiefs (8), the Prime Minister (7), the Leader of the Opposition (6), and the Council of Rotuma (1), Senators served six-year terms, with half retiring every three years. The first term of office for half of the nominees of the Great Council of Chiefs and of the Leader of the Opposition, 3 of the 7 nominees of the Prime Minister, and the lone Rotuman Senator, was for three years only, ending in 1975. The Senate was a permanent body; it was never dissolved
.
The Constitution was rewritten following two military coups
in 1987. The Senate was expanded to 34 members appointed by the President for four-year terms, with half retiring every two years. The President appointed 24 Senators on the nomination of the Great Council of Chiefs, 1 on the nomination of the Council of Rotuma, and a further 9 at his own discretion from the Indo-Fijian and minority
communities. This arrangement was in effect from 1992 to 1999. The first term of 12 of the 24 Senators nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs and 4 of the 9 appointed to represent other communities was for two years only, ending in 1994. As previously, the Senate was never dissolved.
The present Constitutional arrangements came into effect in 1997-1998, and the first Senate so appointed took office in 1999. For the first time, all Senators served concurrent, five-year terms, coinciding with the term of the House of Representatives.
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
is the upper chamber of Parliament. It is the less powerful of the two chambers; it may not initiate legislation, but may amend or veto it. The Senate's powers over financial bills are more restricted: it may veto them in their entirety, but may not amend them. The House of Representatives
House of Representatives (Fiji)
The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of Fiji's Parliament. It is the more powerful of the two chambers; it alone has the power to initiate legislation...
may override a Senatorial veto by passing the bill a second time in the parliamentary session immediately following the one in which it was rejected by the Senate, after a minimum period of six months. Amendments to the Constitution
Constitution of Fiji
The 1997 Constitution of Fiji was the supreme law of Fiji from its adoption in 1997 until 2009 when President Josefa Iloilo purported to abrogate it. It was also suspended for a period following the 2000 coup d'état led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama....
are excepted: the veto of the Senate is absolute. Following the passage of a bill by the House of Representatives, the Senate has 21 days (7 days in the case of a bill classified as "urgent") to approve, amend, or reject it; if at the expiry of that period the Senate has done nothing about it, it is deemed to have passed the bill.
Composition of the Senate
The Senate has 32 members. Formally, they are appointed by the PresidentPresident of Fiji
The President of the Republic of Fiji is the head of state of Fiji. The President was appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term under the terms of the now-suspended 1997 constitution. The Great Council of Chiefs is constitutionally required to consult the Prime Minister, but...
for five-year terms coinciding with the term of the House of Representatives. Constitutionally, however, the President is required to accept the nominees of specified institutions. 14 Senators are chosen by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs)
Great Council of Chiefs (Fiji)
The Great Council of Chiefs is a now dormant 1997 constitutional body in the Republic of the Fiji Islands. In April 2007 the council was suspended, due to an unworkable relationship with Frank Bainimarama, leader of an "interim government" which came to power through a military coup in December 2006...
, though in practice it has chosen to delegate this prerogative to Fiji's 14 Provincial Councils
Local government of Fiji
Fiji is divided administratively into four divisions, which are further subdivided into fourteen provinces; the self-governing island of Rotuma and its dependencies lie outside any of the four divisions. Each division is headed by a Commissioner, appointed by the Fijian government...
, each choosing one Senator. A further 9 Senators are chosen by the Prime Minister and 8 by the Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Fiji)
The post of Leader of the Opposition is a political office common in countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations. It did not originate in Fiji but has a long tradition; in British constitutional theory, the Leader of the Opposition must pose a formal alternative to the government, ready...
. The one remaining Senator is selected by the Council of Rotuma
Council of Rotuma
The Council of Rotuma is a municipal body on the island of Rotuma, a Fijian dependency. Owing to the unique character of Rotuma, the powers of this council are greater than those of other municipal bodies in Fiji and in some ways it approximates a legislative body, though it is in every way...
, a Fijian dependency.
From among their own members, the Senators elect a President and Vice-President, whose roles are similar to those of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. As of September 2006, the President of the Senate is Ratu
Ratu
Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, Adi is used by females of chiefly rank.-Etymology:Ra is a prefix in many titles and Tu is simply "chief"...
Kinijoji Maivalili
Kinijoji Maivalili
Ratu Kinijoji R. Maivalili is a Fijian Chief and political leader. Since 2001 he has represented the Province of Cakaudrove in the Senate as one of fourteen nominees of the Great Council of Chiefs...
; the Vice-President is Hafiz Khan
Hafiz Khan
Hafizud Dean Khan is a Fijian businessman, Senator and president of the Muslim League. Appointed to the Senate on 13 July 2005 to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Dr Ahmed Ali, Khan became one of the 9 out of 32 Senators nominated by the Prime Minister...
. They were chosen in June 2006 to replace Taito Waqavakatoga
Taito Waqavakatoga
Taito Waqavakatoga is a Fijian politician and former civil servant who served as President of the Senate from 2001 to 2006, when he retired from that body...
and Kenneth Low
Kenneth Low
Kenneth Mang-Kwong Low is a Fijian businessman and political leader of Chinese descent. He unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary election of 1999 as a candidate for the General Voters Party for the Western Central Communal Constituency...
, both of whom had retired from the Senate.
The built-in near-majority of Fijian chiefs in the Senate gives them an effective veto over contentious social legislation, as well as constitutional amendments, provided they vote as a block, as they will almost certainly be joined by enough other senators to muster a majority. In addition, any changes to clauses of the constitution guaranteeing indigenous Fijian
Fijian people
Fijian people are the major indigenous people of the Fiji Islands, and live in an area informally called Melanesia. The Fijian people are believed to have arrived in Fiji from western Melanesia approximately 3,500 years ago, though the exact origins of the Fijian people are unknown...
ownership and control of most of the land must be approved by 9 of the 14 Senators chosen by the Great Council of Chiefs, as well as by a majority in the Senate as a whole.
Senators, like their fellow-parliamentarians from the House of Representatives, may be appointed to the Cabinet
Cabinet (Fiji)
Fiji has the Westminster system - executive authority is vested nominally in a President, but exercised in practice by a Cabinet of Ministers, presided over by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is formally appointed, but not chosen, by the President: the President must appoint as Prime...
- the executive arm of government.
History of the Senate
The Fijian Senate came into being in 1972, when the old unicameral Legislative CouncilLegislative Council (Fiji)
The Fijian Legislative Council was the colonial precursor to the present-day Parliament, which came into existence when Fiji became independent on 10 October 1970.-The first Legislative Council:...
was replaced by the bicameral Parliament. The Senate has been restructured twice since the original constitutional structures went into effect.
From 1972 to 1987, the Senate consisted of 22 members. Appointed by the Governor-General
Governor-General of Fiji
Fiji became a British Crown Colony in 1874, and an independent dominion in the Commonwealth in 1970. Queen Elizabeth II remained the Head of State, holding the title of Queen of Fiji until 1987, when she formally abdicated following two military coups...
on the nomination of the Great Council of Chiefs (8), the Prime Minister (7), the Leader of the Opposition (6), and the Council of Rotuma (1), Senators served six-year terms, with half retiring every three years. The first term of office for half of the nominees of the Great Council of Chiefs and of the Leader of the Opposition, 3 of the 7 nominees of the Prime Minister, and the lone Rotuman Senator, was for three years only, ending in 1975. The Senate was a permanent body; it was never dissolved
Dissolution of parliament
In parliamentary systems, a dissolution of parliament is the dispersal of a legislature at the call of an election.Usually there is a maximum length of a legislature, and a dissolution must happen before the maximum time...
.
The Constitution was rewritten following two military coups
Fiji coups of 1987
The Fiji coups of 1987 resulted in the overthrow of the elected government of Fijian Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra, the deposition of Elizabeth II as Queen of Fiji, and in the declaration of a republic...
in 1987. The Senate was expanded to 34 members appointed by the President for four-year terms, with half retiring every two years. The President appointed 24 Senators on the nomination of the Great Council of Chiefs, 1 on the nomination of the Council of Rotuma, and a further 9 at his own discretion from the Indo-Fijian and minority
General Electors (Fiji)
"General Electors" is the term used in Fiji to identify citizens of voting age who belong, in most cases, to ethnic minorities. The Constitution defines General Electors as all Fiji citizens who are not registered as being of Fijian, Indian, or Rotuman descent. Also included are citizens who do...
communities. This arrangement was in effect from 1992 to 1999. The first term of 12 of the 24 Senators nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs and 4 of the 9 appointed to represent other communities was for two years only, ending in 1994. As previously, the Senate was never dissolved.
The present Constitutional arrangements came into effect in 1997-1998, and the first Senate so appointed took office in 1999. For the first time, all Senators served concurrent, five-year terms, coinciding with the term of the House of Representatives.
Nominated by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga
| . | Senator | Province |
| Ratu Solomone Bauserau Ratu Solomone Bauserau Ratu Solomone Bauserau is a Fijian politician. He is a member of the Senate of Fiji and represents Naitasiri Province.-References:*... |
Naitasiri Naitasiri Naitasiri is one of the 14 provinces of Fiji and one of eight based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island.-Geography and infrastructure:Naitasiri as a province covers 1,666 square kilometers , the Province occupies the area to the north and east of Suva, the capital... |
|
| Isaia Gonewai Isaia Gonewai Isaia Gonewai is a Fijian politician. He is a member of the Senate of Fiji and represents Nadroga-Navosa.-References:*... |
Nadroga-Navosa Nadroga-Navosa NADROGA NAVOSA is one of the fourteen provinces of Fiji, and one of eight based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. It is about 2,385 square kilometers and occupies the South-West and Central areas of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest and principal island. The province includes the Mamanuca Archipelago,... |
|
| Atunaisa Kaloumairai Atunaisa Kaloumairai Atunaisa Kaloumairai is a Fijian politician. He is a member of the Senate of Fiji and represents Lomaiviti.-References:*... |
Lomaiviti Lomaiviti The Lomaiviti archipelago of Fiji consists of seven main islands and a number of smaller ones. They cover a total area of 411 square kilometers, and had a population of 16,461 at the most recent census in 2007... |
|
| Ratu Aisea Katonivere Aisea Katonivere Ratu Aisea Katonivere is a Fijian chief and politician from the northern Province of Macuata, where he is the Paramount Chief and Chairman of the Provincial Council... |
Macuata Macuata Macuata is one of Fiji's fourteen Provinces, and one of three based principally on the northern island of Vanua Levu, occupying the north-eastern 40 percent of the island. It has a land area of 2004 square kilometers.... |
|
| Atonio Leawere Atonio Leawere Atonio Leawere is a Fijian politician. He is a member of the Senate of Fiji and represents Serua.-References:*... |
Serua | |
| Ratu Kinijoji R. Maivalili | Cakaudrove | |
| Adi Laufitu Malani Laufitu Malani Adi Laufitu Malani is a Fijian and political leader. She served as a Senator from June to December 2006, when the Senate was dissolved in the wake of the military coup of 5 December... |
Ra Ra Province Ra is one of the fourteen provinces of Fiji. Occupying the northern area of Viti Levu, the largest island, it is one of eight Viti Levu-based Provinces. With a land area of 1341 square kilometers, it had a population of 29,464 at the 2007 census, the last to date... |
|
| Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau Koila Nailatikau Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau is a Fijian lawyer, who has served as a diplomat and politician.- Family background :Vasemaca Koila Josephine Mara was born in 1953... |
Lau Lau Islands The Lau Islands of Fiji are situated in the southern Pacific Ocean, just east of the Koro Sea. Of this chain of about one hundred islands and islets, about thirty are inhabited... |
|
| Eminoni Ranacovu Eminoni Ranacovu Eminoni Ranacovu is a Fijian politician. He is a member of the Senate of Fiji and represents Tailevu.-References:*... |
Tailevu Tailevu Tailevu is one of the 14 provinces of Fiji. One of eight Provinces based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island, its 755 square kilometers occupy the south-eastern fringe of the island, along with some central areas. At the 2007 census, the most recent to date, it had a population of 55,692, the... |
|
| Ratu Manoa Rasigatale Manoa Rasigatale Manoa Rasigatale is a Fijian politician and television personality. He is a member of the Senate of Fiji and represents Rewa.-References:*... |
Rewa Rewa Province Rewa is a province of Fiji. With a land area of 272 square kilometers , it includes the capital city of Suva and is in two parts - one including part of Suva's hinterland to the west, and a noncontiguous area to the east, separated from the rest of Rewa by Naitasiri Province... |
|
| Asesela Sadole Asesela Sadole Asesela Sadole is a Fijian politician. He is a member of the Senate of Fiji and represents Ba.-References:*... |
Ba Ba Province Ba is a province of Fiji, occupying the north-western sector of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. It is one of fourteen Provinces in the nation of Fiji, and one of eight based in Viti Levu. It is Fiji's most populous Province, with a population of 231,760 - more than a quarter of the nation's... |
|
| Matareti Sarasau Matareti Sarasau Colonel Matareti Sarasau is a Fijian politician and military figure. He is a member of the Senate of Fiji and represents Kadavu Province.-References:*... |
Kadavu Kadavu Province Kadavu Province is one of fourteen provinces of Fiji, and forms part of the Eastern Division, which also includes the Provinces of Lau, Lomaiviti and Rotuma. Kadavu also belongs to the Burebasaga Confederacy, a hierarchy of chiefs from southern and western Fiji.It consists of Kadavu Island, Ono... |
|
| Ratu Kiniviliame Taukeinikoro Kiniviliame Taukeinikoro Ratu Kiniviliame Taukeinikoro is a Fijian Chief and political leader. From 2001 to 2006, he represented the Province of Namosi in the Senate as one of fourteen nominees of the Great Council of Chiefs... |
Namosi | |
| Ratu Kinijioji Vakawaletabua Kinijioji Vakawaletabua Ratu Kinijioji Vakawaletabua is a Fijian Chief and political leader. Since 2001 he has represented the Province of Bua in the Senate as one of fourteen nominees of the Great Council of Chiefs.... |
Bua Bua Province Bua is one of fourteen provinces of Fiji. Located in the west of the northern island of Vanua Levu, it is one of three northern provinces, and has a land area of 1,379 square kilometers. Its population at the 2007 census, the most recent to date, was 14,176, making it the fourth least-populous... |
|
Nominated by the Prime Minister
| Tupeni Baba Tupeni Baba Tupeni Lebaivalu Baba is a Fijian academic and politician, who founded the now-defunct New Labour Unity Party. Most members of this party later merged with several other centrist parties to form the Fiji Democratic Party... |
| Qoriniasi Bale Qoriniasi Bale Qoriniasi Babitu Bale is a lawyer and political leader, who has served twice as Fiji's Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, most recently from 2001 to 2006, when he was deposed in the military coup of 5 December... |
| Ratu Jone Bouwalu |
| Adi Samanunu Cakobau-Talakuli Samanunu Cakobau-Talakuli Adi Litia Samanunu Cakobau-Talakuli is a Fijian chief, politician, and diplomat. The eldest child of Ratu Sir George Cakobau , Talakuli has held a number of senior positions in the Fijian government. She was Minister for Fijian Affairs in 1994 and 1995, and was considered as a candidate for the... |
| Hafiz Khan |
| Dixon Seeto Dixon Seeto Dixon Seeto is a Fijian businessman and political leader of Chinese descent. He is President of the Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association and of the Chinese Association of Fiji... |
| Kaliopate Tavola Kaliopate Tavola Kaliopate Tavola is a Fijian economist, diplomat, and politician, who was his country's Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2000 to 2006... |
| Ratu Jekesoni Lewenilovo Yavalanavanua Ratu Jekesoni Lewenilovo Yavalanavanua Ratu Jekesoni Lewenilovo Yavalanavanua is a Fijian politician and member of the Senate of Fiji. He hails from the chiefly village of Somosomo Taveuni. He is the Secretary General of the Council of Chiefs of the Vanua of Lalagavesi . He spent 17 years working under the Ministry of Fijian Affairs as... |
| Adi Lagamu Vuiyasawa Lagamu Vuiyasawa Adi Lagamu Lewaturaga Vuiyasawa is a Fijian businesswoman and politician. On 4 November 2005, she was appointed to the Senate to complete the unexpired term of her de facto husband, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, who forfeited his seat owing to his imprisonment on charges related to his role in an army... |
Nominated by the Leader of the Opposition
| |Gaffar Ahmed Gaffar Ahmed Gaffar Ahmed is a Fiji Labour Party Fijian politician of Indian descent. Ahmed, a former police officer, represented the Ba West Indian Communal Constituency, one of 19 reserved for Indo-Fijians, from 1995 to 2006.... |
|
| Jokapeci Talei Koroi Jokapeci Koroi Jokapeci Talei Koroi was a Fijian politician. She was currently the President of the Fiji Labour Party and a Senator. She was appointed to the Senate in 2002 as one of 8 nominees of the Leader of the Opposition, Mahendra Chaudhry.... |
|
| Vijay Nair Vijay Nair Vijay Nair was one of the eight nominees of the Leader of the Opposition to the Senate of Fiji after the 2006 elections.- References :... |
|
| Lavinia Padarath Lavinia Padarath Lavinia Padarath was one of the eight nominees of the Leader of the Opposition to the Senate of Fiji after the 2006 elections. She had previously served in the House of Representatives and Cabinet in the Mahendra Chaudhry government, from 1999 to 2000. Padarath is the mother of media figure and... |
|
| Bijai Prasad Bijai Prasad Bijai Prasad was one of the eight nominees of the Leader of the Opposition to the Senate of Fiji after the 2006 elections.- References :... |
|
| Tom Rickets | |
| Sachida Nand Sharma Sachida Nand Sharma Sachida Nand Sharma was one of the eight nominees of the Leader of the Opposition to the Senate of Fiji after the 2006 elections. - References :... |
|
| Chandra Singh Chandra Singh Chandra Singh was one of the eight nominees of the Leader of the Opposition to the Senate of Fiji after the 2006 elections. - References :... |
|