THE Fiji National Rugby League has formally put its safeguarding process under the spotlight, declaring that an independent commission is now examining workplace concerns while a police investigation into allegations against a board member continues.
In a statement yesterday, FNRL said its independent safeguarding commission was activated on September 21 to conduct fact-finding, examine root causes and recommend governance changes.
The commission includes representatives connected with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Fiji National Sports Commission, PHERRUS Financial Services Fiji and independent legal counsel.
FNRL says the commission is “entirely independent and insulated from external organisational or administrative pressures”.
That claim will now be tested against the process FNRL has put in place.
An email from Australian Rugby League Commission executive chairman Peter V’landys to the FNRL board on September 16 — after the complaint reached the ARLC — called for the matter to be investigated promptly and thoroughly, with procedural fairness and appropriate safeguards for both the complainant and respondent.
V’landys also sought details of: Who would investigate or oversee the process; how independence would be protected; interim measures for the complainant; an indicative timeframe; and notification of material developments and outcomes.
The ARLC made clear that the investigation was ultimately for FNRL to determine, but said it would continue to monitor the matter and could seek further information or act if necessary.
FNRL says its process has now been activated under Section 12.3 of its Code of Conduct, with a structured response window for the affected party.
The code also states that conduct detrimental to FNRL, its NRL partnership, or the safety, dignity and wellbeing of participants can constitute a breach.
It further requires potential breaches to be reported and says retaliation against anyone making a good-faith report is itself a serious breach.
The allegations against the board member remain unproven.
The board member, contacted by The Fiji Times, said his lawyers would deal with Culden Kamea and others for defamation, adding: “There is an independent committee in place. We will let due process take place”.
With police investigations continuing, the focus now shifts from the existence of a process to whether FNRL can demonstrate that the process is independent, fair and capable of producing credible findings.
