Parliament will now stand prorogued today until the new session of Parliament which will be opened by the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere on Monday, March 4, 2024.
According to a statement issued by the Parliament of Fiji, by convention, prorogation is not a sitting day – prorogation signifies the formal end of a Parliamentary session or year during the Parliamentary Term of four years.
The statement says the Speaker, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has informed Ratu Wiliame of the prorogation as well as the next State opening of Parliament.
It further states that during the prorogation period, parliamentary business including parliament sittings and parliamentary Standing Committee proceedings on Bills, Motions and reports are suspended until the opening of the next Parliamentary session, with the exception of matters that would be deemed urgent and necessary such as Standing Committee work on Bills, but these would be at the discretion of the Speaker of Parliament.
The State opening of the second session of Parliament be attended by the Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, Justices of Appeal and other Puisne Judges after the Guard-of-Honour by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
Parliament will then resume on Monday, March 11, 2024 for the week-long sitting.
“All other operations by the Parliament secretariat will continue during the prorogation period.”
