Two Victorian Members of Parliament, John Pesutto and Sarah Mansfield, are in Suva this week as part of a seminar with Fijian MPs aimed at strengthening the legislative process in Fiji through improved scrutiny of bills.
The seminar, organised by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, is part of an ongoing twinning partnership between the Parliament of Victoria and the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji, designed to promote good governance and democratic accountability across the Pacific region.
Victorian Liberal Leader John Pesutto said he was proud to represent Hawthorn and Victoria in the exchange. “I’m here in Suva, Fiji, for the next three days as part of a Victorian Parliament exchange focused on improving democratic oversight and parliamentary scrutiny in the Fiji Parliament,” he said.
“Victoria has always played an active role in the promotion of democratic institutions and human rights – not just at home but across the Pacific. As Fiji celebrates 55 years of independence this Friday, I look forward to sharing ideas on how we can each improve the work of parliament on behalf of our people.”
Earlier in June, the Speaker of the Fijian Parliament, the Filimone Jitoko, led an official delegation to the Victorian Parliament as part of the same inter-parliamentary partnership initiative.
The visit included high-level roundtable discussions with representatives from the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, the Pathways to Politics Programme for Women, and the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission.
The Fijian delegation also met with the Pacific Friendship Group and the Fijian Community Association Victoria Inc., highlighting the importance of community connections in strengthening bilateral ties.
This present trip and collaboration marks a milestone in the long-standing twin-parliament relationship between Victoria and Fiji — a partnership supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The initiative continues to advance interparliamentary knowledge exchange, promote transparent and inclusive governance, and deepen institutional and people-to-people links between the two Parliaments.
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