After eight years of military rule, the people of Fiji will have the long denied opportunity to decide which political party should form our Government on September 17, 2014.
In deciding how to cast your vote, I appeal to you to carefully consider the following: Which Party puts the nation ahead of the self-interest of its leaders? Which Party can be trusted to rebuild our democracy? Which Party has a solid economic plan to create stable and well-paying jobs? Which Party has a plan to reduce the price of food, medicine and transport? Which Party has a credible plan to help our country to avoid the pain and suffering of further coups?
The 2014 Manifesto of the National Federation Party (NFP) is a different document. Unlike the Fiji First Party and others, the NFP and I do not pretend that we know what is best for you and your families.
This Manifesto is not written by spin-doctors and hired professionals. My Party has travelled the breadth and the width of the country; we have held hundreds of meetings, and received hundreds of submissions on what you think is best for you and for our country.
Constant values
Beneath these carefully crafted feasible programmes for Government, the Manifesto is linked to our founding principles of good governance and respect for fundamental human rights. The NFP has stood by these principles for 50 years, not because we cannot change but because our core values of democracy, fairness, and equal human rights do not change with time. They withstand the test of time.
The NFP is not tainted by its support for coups or collusion with coup-makers.
While we reject the Constitution that has been foisted upon us, we accepted that the best way forward is to seek a mandate from the people.
The NFP has decided to participate in the 2014 Elections in that spirit and as our track record shows, we will bow to the will of the people as we have always done.
We are committed to our pledge to serve all our peoples through an accountable government. To do so, we need to restore our democracy.
We need to rebuild government institutions.
We need to reignite the commitment of our civil servants so that they give their best to providing services and solutions to the problems our people face.
It is only from this that we can then deliver a strong economy. From a strong economy, we can begin to reduce the many hardships our people face.
This Manifesto is a start of that journey.
Vote for change
It is my firm belief that the people of Fiji will decisively vote for a change in this election.
The status quo of low growth, rising cost of living, high levels of unemployment, deteriorating health services and facilities, poor infrastructure, inconsistent economic policies and lack of good governance is unacceptable to the people.
The exasperation of the people with the status-quo is understandable and they are in no mood to suffer any more.
Solemn pledges
The NFP will (a) Govern fairly for all Fijians (b) Create more jobs, decent jobs, and increase productivity (c) Immediately reduce VAT from 15% to 10% and reduce import duties on essential food items to reduce the cost of living for all families (d) Provide not just fee free education but quality education that will include children with disabilities and more funding for scholarships for students from underprivileged families (e) Recognise and fund for our iTaukei as the first people of Fiji and their special place in our nation as the custodians of a unique culture, strong traditional values and their native land (f) Establish national guidelines for child protection, not just emergency ad hoc measures and (g) Increase funding for aged care and increase social pension.
The NFP will (1) Protect freedom of speech and support an open media (2) Promote just, fair and humane labour practices, first repealing the Essential National Industries (Employment) Decree and amending the Administration of Justice Decree to restore full collective bargaining rights and access to justice for workers and trade unions, including police and prison officers; and restore Public Service Log of Claims (LOC) award (3) Review and establish national minimum wages and conditions including redundancies (4) Remove restrictions related to political party and electoral decrees (5) Introduce a national medical and life insurance scheme (6) Restore retirement age to 60 in the Civil Service (7) Institute a fully transparent system of all procurement of all goods and services by Government and (8) Make timely assessments of government’s financial performance and table Auditor General’s Report.
Sound policies
Under my leadership, the NFP will promote sound, not populist policies that will build a strong and stable economy, generate decent jobs for our young and develop an environment that allows all our people to pursue their aspirations and realise their dreams in Fiji – not abroad.
We believe that our Manifesto will lead to a credible and stable Government after the election. We believe that Fiji will attract significant funding, grants and investment from our development partners.
We project that Fiji could attract an estimated F$ 1 billion in grants and investment over the next four years. NFP’s Manifesto contains policies, which will guarantee sustained economic growth rate of more than 5% per annum, which will translate into more productive and decent jobs and thereby reducing the number of people living below the poverty line. We will put Fiji back on the path of renewed prosperity.
What the NFP offers is a team you can trust; a team that knows what it will take to deliver this manifesto; a team that knows what it takes to succeed.
Good team
I am leading a team that represents all walks of national life: people with backgrounds in farming, civil services, law, commerce, education and more. My team includes a medical doctor, gender specialists, economists, a seasoned airline pilot & aviation entrepreneur, ecologists, peace specialists, lawyers, education specialists, a tourism entrepreneur, youth advocates, religious leaders, writers, social workers and experienced politicians.
This team has the people and the skills needed to get our country moving again. The team knows what it will take to kick-start our economy and hard work that lies ahead.
Professor Biman Prasad is Leader of the National Federation Party. The above is an edited version of his address at the launch of his Party’s Manifesto in Suva on July 21, 2014.
