Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko says the absence of a parliamentary code of conduct is limiting the Speaker’s ability to properly address discipline and attendance issues involving Members of Parliament.
Speaking in Parliament this morning following controversy over his earlier comments on poor MP attendance, Jitoko clarified that his concerns were centred on protecting the dignity and honour of Parliament rather than imposing sanctions outside his legal powers.
Jitoko acknowledged that his remarks had attracted headlines in the media but stressed he never intended to suggest he could punish MPs beyond the authority granted under Standing Orders.
“As a lawyer, I well understand the legal limits of my authority as Speaker of Parliament in matters that pertain to discipline and sanctions,” Jitoko said.
He said Fiji’s Parliament lacked structures that existed in many other legislatures, including standards and privileges committees supported by formal codes of conduct.
“Unlike other parliaments that have committees on standards and privileges with a code of conduct that overlays it, the Speaker of this Parliament has only Standing Order 18, which sets out the functions, duties and powers of the Speaker,” he said.
Jitoko highlighted that there was still no code of conduct established under Section 149 of the Constitution, something he said would greatly assist in the administration of Parliament and its business.
“There is yet to be a code of conduct under Section 149 of the Constitution that would have assisted greatly in the performance of the Speaker’s role in the administration of Parliament and its business,” he said.
The Speaker explained that Standing Order 20 mainly dealt with the efficient administration of Parliament, leaving him with limited tools beyond maintaining parliamentary order and dignity.
“All that the Speaker is left with is to ensure that the honour and the dignity of the Fiji Parliament is maintained,” Jitoko said.
He said his earlier comments regarding poor attendance at workshops, seminars and parliamentary sittings were motivated by concerns over whether MPs were upholding the dignity of the institution.
“That is the reason my foray into the discipline of honourable members, as in my statement yesterday, was premised on the maintenance only of order and dignity of Parliament,” he said.
Jitoko clarified that he was not threatening punishments outside the powers of the Speaker but encouraging MPs to recognise their responsibilities to Parliament.
“If it appears from the media reports that I was threatening sanctions that would be outside the power of the Speaker, all I was suggesting to honourable members is that by frequent absence and non-attendance they may not be honouring the dignity of this institution,” he said.
The Speaker ended his statement by apologising if his comments had been misunderstood by MPs.
“If it did not appear to you to be that, honourable members, you have my apology,” Jitoko said.
