Mahendra Chaudhry addressing the Sydney meeting, with Mrs Chaudhry and Mrs Sera Laveta, FDFM NSW Chapter (right)
 WRAP UP ON FIRST MINI FORUM Fiji Labour Party Leader Speaks to Fijians in Sydney. "The First Mini Forum organised by the Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement (FDFM) held on March 19th 2014, at the MacArthur Hall in Revesby, Sydney, as part of its awareness program, leading up to the much awaited General Election in September, was considered a success, by Movement’s head Usaia Peter Waqatairewa. He added, that considering we had four days to prepare and promote the event, the turnout of about ninety people on a weekday night was quite overwhelming. FDFM would like to express their gratitude to Fiji’s former Prime Minister and Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Pal Chaudhry and his wife Virmati for accepting the invitation to speak at such short notice, considering they had other businesses to attend to in such a short time span. Keynote speaker, Mr Chaudhry, gave a thirty minutes address where he covered all critical economic and social issues facing Fiji today. With regards to the planning of the election, there are serious concerns whether it could meet the September deadline given that with only five months left before September, the regime still has yet to: 1. Provide an electronic copy of voters roll to all registered political parties and independent candidates; 2. Appoint a supervisor of election and promulgate election legislation and regulation; 3. Ensure that the interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum do not interfere with the Office of Elections processes; 4. Ensure that a significant number of eligible voters are still yet to register, in Fiji and abroad get registered or the 20% figure is brought down to an acceptable materiality level of 2%; and 5. Elaborate more on their ambitious plan to have a one day Election Day is mind boggling, when we consider the geographical challenges, Fiji, as a country poses. Then there is the training required of personnel, the logistics, and resources and so on and given it’s the first attempt at this ‘one day ‘election. During the Q&A session which also was for about an hour, a lot of emotions were expressed by the concerned Fijian Sydney communities. Many let out their frustration that they are only in Australia because of what the Bainimarama Regime has brought upon the people of Fiji. The regime’s failure to abide in promoting and protecting human rights under the United Nations Act in Fiji has led many to flee abroad in search of their personal safety. A gentleman from Naisaumua, Tailevu, strongly expressed his wishes that Mr Chaudhry runs in the September election because he among many believers share the sentiments that only Mr Chaudhry has the tenacity to take on the challenge to get rid of the corrupt Bainimarama regime. Mr Chaudhary responded saying, it is not him alone that can continue the fight, but people should openly support the efforts of the United Front for a Democratic Fiji (UFDF) and also lobby local politicians in Australia not to ease up the pressure on Fiji to ensure a free and transparent election transpires in September. In delivering the closing remarks and vote of thanks FDFM’s National President Usaia Waqatairewa appealed to those that attended, to come on board and sign up for their fundraising initiative to support the election campaign of the three political parties under UFDF. He stressed that they currently face the elephant in the house (Bainimarama) who has not stepped down from his dual role of Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and, therefore, is still in charge of government money and manpower. He (Bainimarama) has demonstrated in the past that while he sets laws for others he has a tendency to operate outside these laws. The event concluded with a closing prayer from Pastor Aminiasi Tanioria, and one from Mrs Virmati Chaudhry before refreshments was served." Media enquiries to Usaia Waqatairewa and other enquiries to Sera Laveta on 0487 385 074 Usaia P Waqatairewa National President Mobile Contact 0415 989 300 | Chaudhry said they currently face the elephant in the house (Bainimarama) who has not stepped down from his dual role of Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and, therefore, is still in charge of government money and manpower. He (Bainimarama) has demonstrated in the past that while he sets laws for others he has a tendency to operate outside these laws |
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