Fijileaks
  • Home
  • Archive Home
  • In-depth Analysis
    • BOI Report into George Speight and others beatings
  • Documents
  • Opinion
  • CRC Submissions
  • Features
  • Archive

QOLIQOLI and RFMF GOLI (BULLET). Biman Prasad should remind his Coalition partners Qarase's Qoliqoli Bill played right into hands of RFMF. FLP: 'We urge Government to move with extreme caution on Surfing Bill'

4/9/2023

 

Fijileaks: Regulation of Surfing Areas Decree 2010
Comment: It is not clear that ‘used’ and ‘utilised’ have different meanings, and the terms ‘surfing’ and ‘water sport’ are not defined. Does it include e.g. sportfishing? Also, does the definition extend to future use of areas of water? There is no Gazetted list, which leaves the definition very unclear. This Decree can therefore be challenged for vagueness as to its exact scope.

Picture
Labour cautions govt on Qoliqoli-related review

Fiji Labour Party has urged the government to move with extreme caution on any review of the Surfing Areas Act 2010 which could impact adversely on tourism and people’s access to foreshore and coastal waters.
​

“There needs to be wide and thorough consultations on this. The Coalition government must not repeat the mistakes made by the SDL government in 2006 over its predecessor the Qoliqoli Bill,” said Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry.

A government appointed committee is currently carrying out public consultations on its intention to amend the Surfing Areas Act 2010 which opened up Fiji waters to surfers.

Government argues that the 2010 Act does not provide for protection and fair compensation to landowners for the use of their resource nor does it demarcate specific surfing areas thus overriding traditional qoliqoli rights.

Mr Chaudhry reminded the government of the widespread controversy which had arisen when the Qarase government tried to push through the contentious Qoliqoli Bill in 2006.

It had met strong opposition from the tourism industry, the RFMF as well as human rights and civil society groups. Opposition had also come from ordinary citizens who were owners of residential or agricultural properties located close to the foreshore or on the banks of inland waterways.

“Attempts to demarcate such areas could interfere with the free passage of people and vessels through our foreshores and coastal waters. It could also curtail people’s right to freedom of movement to enjoy rivers and oceans for recreational purposes.

“While one is sympathetic to the rights of resource owners, in a modern nation these rights must be balanced against the rights of minority groups and the economic and social interests of the nation,” Mr Chaudhry said.

Picture

Comments are closed.
    Contact Email
    ​[email protected]
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012