Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu says public confidence in the Government’s leadership and accountability has weakened over the past four years, following political controversies and decisions that have raised concerns about its effectiveness.
Speaking in Parliament last Friday, Mr Seruiratu said the conduct and priorities of the Government had contributed to growing concerns about leadership and accountability.
“In this case, over the last four years, and in my assessment, there has been incidences where there is a weakened public confidence in the leadership and accountability that should guide our nation,” Mr Seruiratu said.
“We have witnessed political controversies as well that has resulted in the changes within Government, and decisions that have raised legitimate concerns about the consistency and effectiveness of Government leadership.”
Mr Seruiratu said public office should never be treated as a position of personal privilege or political entitlement.
“It is a responsibility entrusted to us by our people, and that responsibility must always be exercised with humility, integrity, and a commitment to the national interest.”
He said restoring public confidence required leaders who were prepared to take responsibility for their decisions and institutions that operated without fear or favour.
“Restoring public trust requires a return to these fundamental principles, and it requires leaders who are prepared to accept responsibility for their decisions, institutions that operate without fear or favour, and a government that understands that accountability is an obligation rather than an inconvenience.”
Mr Seruiratu, who previously served in Government, acknowledged that both sides of Parliament had lessons to learn from their performances.
He stressed that democracy could only be strengthened when citizens had confidence that the law applied equally to everyone.
“Our democracy will only grow stronger when citizens have confidence that the laws of our country apply equally to everyone and that those entrusted with public authority are answerable for how that authority is exercised,” he said.
