THE NextGen Alliance Party’s planned manifesto launch at Suva’s Civic Centre was cancelled on Thursday after police advised the event could not proceed without a permit — an obstacle the party says highlights the need to reform outdated laws.
Party secretary general Fredrick Babitu Katoiwai said the decision came “at the very 12th hour” following differing interpretations of the Public Order Act 1969.
“Unfortunately, we are not going ahead with our launching program, simply because we do not have a permit,” he said.
The party had previously secured a permit for an August 15 event but postponed it.
Mr Katoiwai said it did not reapply for Thursday’s launch based on its understanding with the Suva City Council that a permit was not required for functions held indoors.
Police, however, advised that the event fell under the Public Order Act.
Mr Katoiwai said the situation demonstrated the very need for reform the party has been campaigning for.
“The reason we did not have this function today is because of outdated laws that we’ve been preaching about.”
The party instead held a closed meeting and talanoa session, while plans remain to release its 22-pillar framework and begin a national listening tour.
