Speaker attends the 54th POCC in Nauru
This week, Speaker of the Fijian Parliament the Hon. Filimone Jitoko and Secretary-General Mrs Jeanette Emberson joined their counterparts from across the Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand at the 2025 Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference (POCC), hosted by the Nauru Parliament.
Centered around the theme “Independent Parliaments, Strengthening Democracy: The Power of Parliamentary Autonomy,” the Conference brings together presiding officers and clerks to exchange ideas and present papers aimed at reinforcing democratic institutions through legislative self-governance.
Speaker Hon. Jitoko shared Fiji’s journey toward strengthening democratic governance through institutional reform. He emphasised that whilst Fiji’s Parliament still operates without full administrative autonomy, substantial efforts are underway to shift that paradigm.
“It is envisaged that this Bill would reflect our recognition of a fundamental democratic principle: that a legislature must be free from executive interference if it is to represent the people effectively and hold the government to account. Our Parliament is fully committed to upholding this principle, which is deeply rooted in our institutional aspirations.”
“Although our Constitution enshrines the independence of Parliament and establishes the office of the Secretary-General, many of our key administrative and operational functions—such as finance, information technology, and human resources—remain integrated within the executive infrastructure.”
The Speaker highlighted that autonomy is not just about independence—it is about strengthening the effectiveness and integrity of our legislative processes.
“To reinforce this vision, we are actively reviewing our Standing Orders.”
“Over the past two years, Fiji has navigated profound political transitions. These have challenged us but also affirmed our commitment to inclusive governance and a resilient Parliament that remains anchored in democratic ideals. Our perseverance reflects the strength of our institutions and the determination to build a system that genuinely serves all our people.”
The Conference is held annually, with hosting responsibilities rotating among the Parliaments of Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific region. It serves as a valuable forum for parliamentary leaders to exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and reinforce democratic principles across the region.
In 2024, the Parliament of South Australia hosted the POCC in Adelaide. Fiji last participated in the Conference in 2022.
