The Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has spoken of waging a “battle of ideas” to win next year’s election in Fiji after all three major established parties – Labour, the National Federation Party, and SODELPA, the former SDL – were cleared to register as political entities to contest the poll. Commodore Bainimarama restated his intention to form his own party to seek a democratic mandate to continue as Prime Minister. In comments that clearly indicate that his campaign for the September 2014 poll has already begun, the PM appeared to welcome the formal registration of his opponents, saying that it was up to the Fijian people to choose who was best capable of taking Fiji forward. He said that he intended to run on his Government’s record of creating a level playing field for all Fijians and of providing ordinary people with essential services that previous Governments had neglected.
Speaking to the Auckland Indo-Fijian radio station, Radio Tarana, Commodore Bainimarama was scathing about his opponents, saying they had “brought Fiji to its knees” with their racial policies and “wanted to mess the country up again”. Here’s an audio link to the full interview, recorded on Friday morning May 3rd.
This is what Fiji needs.Boot out the self seekers and vote Frank Bainimarama in .He has the foresight and a prospective vision for Fiji.He is relentless,brave, forthright and is going to bury the racial divide of our country for good.
Fijians will gain and prosper under his astute leadership in the long run.
May my fellow countrymen be blessed with some political wisdom this time round.Or do you still want to be a pawn and puppet for the past self seeking politicians?
Stick with Frank.What an opportunity!! Don’t waste it again.
I think that allowing the old parties to contest elections is a big mistake and I hope that our PM will re-consider his decision. There is just too much bad propaganda out there and people in Fiji are very vulnerable with regard to such propaganda. Take the video of our PM, first posted on C4.5 and now gone viral: Our leader is portrayed as a bumbling moron through clever cutting of his performance on talk back radio. We all know that our PM is an intelligent, selfless and compassionate leader whose only interest is to move Fiji forward. But we have to be wary of the propaganda that the thugs of the old parties will throw at our leaders. In my view, it would be best for our PM just to postpone elections for another 10 years and carry on ruling Fiji. The anomalies found in the registrations of the old parties is investigated by the police right now and I am sure that there is enough ground to disband them for ever because of fraud.
Since its posting on the 3rd I was hoping for the Demoncracy advocates to flood these pages.
Their political parties have been given the go-ahead and some of their leaders have been quite vocal recently….now what?????
And each of these parties are 5000 votes ahead right now!!! and with the assets and the machinery as a former functional party…….you guys have been given a head start and still have the galls to ill this current government.
Even the scribes have given you space……
@ Chand
Bula bro.
As we say in Samabula….”Are bhaya, aiste…aiste chalo”
Am here in Nadi for weekend………mood on the ground here is that many are pleased that this Casino deal with that US con man Larry Claunch and his 100 Sands Indo’s, has fallen through!
I hear he is a first class con man who was able to con Frankie and his deputy Aiyarse….Larry has shot thru with the dough…big time….
Not good this casino deal…smells foul big time…..
Otherwise, talo another bilo, bro!
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
Short title and commencement
1. This Decree may be cited as the Casino (Operator) Decree 2012 and shall come into force on 12 October
2012.
Interpretation
2. In this Decree, unless the context otherwise requires—
“capital goods” means capital equipment, plant, machinery and fittings for the construction and operation of
the casino;
“CEO” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority appointed under section
27 of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority Act 1998;
“Company” means One Hundred Sands Limited, a company having its registered office at Level 8, Dominion
House, Thomson Street, Suva;
“Fijian Gaming Commission and Control Board” means the Board to be established by way of a written law
at a later date;
“Licence” means the Casino Gaming Licence issued to the Company under the Gaming Decree 2009 by the
Minister on 15 March 2012; and
“Minister” means the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
Object of the Decree
3. The object of this Decree is to give recognition to the operations of the Company in relation to the Licence
issued.
PART 2— CONDITIONS OF THE LICENCE
Exclusive licence
4. The Company shall have an exclusive licence to provide casino gaming operations in Fiji for a period of 15
years from the date of issuance of the Licence.
Special conditions
5. The Company shall comply with the special conditions of the Licence.
PART 3 — TAXES AND LEVIES
Lodgment of tax returns
6. The Company shall, on the last day of the month following the tax period, lodge a tax return in a form
approved by the CEO.
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CEO to issue statement
7.—(1) Upon receiving the tax return from the Company under section 6, the CEO shall issue a statement to
the Company specifying the amount to pay for the following taxes and levies—
(a) Gross Gaming Revenue Tax; and
(b) Community Fund Levy.
(2) The CEO shall charge the Company 5% of Gross Gaming Revenue Tax.
(3) The Gross Gaming Revenue Tax shall be paid annually following the first full year of operation for a period
of 15 years from the effective date of the Licence.
(4) The Gross Gaming Revenue Tax may be reviewed within 12 months prior to the fifteenth year anniversary
of the issuance of the Licence.
(5) The CEO shall charge the Company a Community Fund Levy on Net Gaming Income that shall be paid
annually from the first full year of operation as follows—
(a) Year 1 to Year 3 – 2%; and
(b) Year 4 to Year 7 – 4%.
(6) The Minister for Finance shall review the Community Fund Levy payable at the expiration of Year 7.
Payment of tax returns
8. The Company shall, within 21 days of receiving the statement issued by the CEO under section 7, pay to
the CEO the taxes and levies specified in the statement.
Gaming Commission Fee
9. —(1) The Company shall pay an annual fee of FJ$500,000 to the Fijian Gaming Commission and Control
Board.
(2) The Gaming Commission Fee in subsection (1) shall be reviewed at the expiration of year 5 from the
effective date of the Licence.
PART 4 —TAX AND DUTY EXEMPTION
Tax exemption
10. —(1) The Company shall, subject to section 11, be exempt from paying the following taxes and duty—
(a) Corporate tax; and
(b) Duty concession on all capital goods imported by or on behalf of the Company for the construction
of the casinos.
(2) Pursuant to subsection (1) (b), the Company shall be exempt from paying duty for an extension of 6 months
following the completion of the construction of the casinos.
Corporate Tax Holiday
11. Notwithstanding all other taxes such as Value Added Tax and Hotel Turnover Tax, the Company shall
receive a Corporate Tax Holiday for 13 years from the effective date of the Licence (including all duty to get the
project finalised, in accordance with the Short Life Investment Package available under the Hotel Aids Act).
Gaming Licence Fee
12.—(1) No annual licence fee shall be payable by the Company for the first 15 years from the date of the
issuance of the Licence.
(2) Pursuant to subsection (1), an annual licence fee of 1% of Gross Gaming Revenue shall be payable from
the sixteenth year of the effective date of the Licence.
PART 5—MISCELLANEOUS
Power to make Regulations
13. —(1) The Minister may make Regulations prescribing matters that are required or permitted by this Decree
to be prescribed or are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Decree.
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(2) Notwithstanding the generality of subsection (1), the Minister may make Regulations to prescribe the
computation of tax chargeable to the Company.
Decree and decisions made under this Decree not to be challenged
14. No court, tribunal, commission or any other adjudicating body shall have the jurisdiction to accept, hear,
determine, or in any other way entertain any challenge at law, in equity or otherwise (including any applications for
judicial review) by any person or body, or to award any compensation or grant any other remedy to any person or
body in relation to—
(a) the validity or legality or propriety of this Decree;
(b) the validity or legality of the Licence or operation of the Company; or
(c) any decision of the Minister made under this Decree.
Consequential
15. This Decree has effect notwithstanding any provision of any written law, and accordingly, to the extent that
there is any inconsistency between this Decree and any other written law, this Decree prevails.
Given under my hand this 9th day of October 2012.
EPELI NAILATIKAU
President of the Republic of Fiji
Price: 50c A. V. NAIVAKASORO, Government Printer, Suva, Fiji—2012 152/FGG/12—1,200
Official Printer
“Casino Royale”, what is the relevance of your posting, pray tell? You could have at least provided some elaboration. This is not the Government Gazette.
The casino operator has until the until of the month to commence work or the deal falls over.
On the subject of ‘big ideas’, I think Fiji has got it right…it has to be all about the ECONOMY!
I cite four recent examples (1) the recent Fiji Trade Mission to PNG (2) the seminar on “Global Economic & Financial Outlook and its Implications for PIC Economies” organised by the Economic Association of Fiji (3) the World Hindu Economic Forum held recently in Nadi (4) and the upcoming G77 Eminent Personalities meeting at Natadola.
Add to this list the ongoing MSG Eminent Persons Group discussion on moving the MSG forward to strengthen economic co-operation among the MSG countries.
Fiji has got it right, I believe. As the saying goes…”its the economy, stupid!”
In contrast to all this, Australia has roped it one of its client state (Tonga) to host a meeting to discuss the recent White Paper which advocates Australia playing a major role in the South Pacific in the years ahead. As expected Fiji was not invited to these discussions which included NZ, Tonga, France, PNG and Chile.
Whilst Australia is pursuing its geo-political agenda in the region, Fiji is doing the right thing by focussing on economic co-operation and development for its people and the people in the MSG countries.
When the time comes, I just hope the PM will announce that as far as Fiji is concerned the MSG will be the primary vehicle through which Fiji will engage with the region. The Forum is becoming increasingly irrelevant as it is being used by Australia & NZ to push their geo-politiical agenda.
Komai
Of course the economy has to be boosted but we also have to ask HOW.
The best method throughout the world that has been proven is that the workforce (those capable and needing work) are employed effectively. They must be able to earn enough to support themselves and also plough some money back into the economy to allow expansion.
So what we need to start hearing is how these political parties are going to structure things so that jobs are available.
Fiji can not continue to rely heavily on tourism it has to learn from other small countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece all who relied heavily on tourism for so long, they had not built up other areas, tourism declined and these countries are now in serious trouble financially.
My first question for any political party is what does it intend to do about the ever increasing semi educated, non skilled unemployed youth ? If something is not done they will become a continual never ending burden on the country.
Agree with you Alby.
My point is that by engaging in the exchange of ideas on how best to lift the economy etc can we identify opportunities for jobs that our educated and unemployed need at this time. We are doing that and already it is reaping rewards.
Bula Graham
It is the Fiji Government Gazette
Vol. 13 TUESDAY, 9th OCTOBER 2012 No. 117
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE FIJI GOVERNMENT
GOVERNMENT OF FIJI GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY
[1235]
GOVERNMENT OF FIJI
_____
CASINO (OPERATOR) DECREE 2012
(DECREE No. 62 OF 2012)
IN exercise of the powers vested in me as the President of the Republic of Fiji and the Commander in Chief of
the Republic of Fiji Military Forces by virtue of the Executive Authority of Fiji Decree 2009, I hereby make the
following Decree—
I take your point. I pray on what basis and on whose advice did Prime Minister agree to hand exclusive casino license to One Hundred Sands and Larry Claunch. It speaks of his judgment – monumental error – how many other projects will meet similar fate?
“Casino Royale”, sorry I meant Grubsheet is not the Government Gazette. I take it that you disapprove of this deal, as indeed, do many people. I don’t like gambling full stop because of its detrimental social consequences. The problem is that such places provide healthy revenue flows that can be used for positive social programs. That’s the bind that Fiji is in. Let’s see what happens.
It was published as Extraordinary Gazette, authorized by the Government of Fiji
As Graham said, there is still plenty of time for Larry to start the project. And I am sure he will. In the last six years, Fiji has attracted numerous respectable developers who have massively invested in Fiji. This trend will continue if we can manage to retain this government who has shown the ability to cut through all the red tape that previous governments have imposed on investors. Now, it is the discretion of the minister to grant exclusive licenses and approvals. In the old days we had to go due diligence processes, international tenders and had to demonstrate that social safeguards were in place. Now our economy has been freed of these cuffs and can roam freely.
Peter
Fiji is no where up the top of the llst when it comes to the “ease of doing business”.
You go try opening a business in Fiji and you find that every municipality have their own “special requirements” eg some of will ask for your father’s
details including his DOB: the next one will ask for a medical certificate; and the next one will want to know ….this and that…yada…yada….
The problem is that Fiji is regressing when it comes to the rating of the ‘ease of doing business’. cf other PIC including, of all countries, Tonga!….. Why?
Well, no one can accuse the PM of being “lamu” to take his political opponents head on ow can they?
I truly hope he prevails.
However, I have the nagging suspicion that he has made the same mistake that Rabuka and Jai Ram Reddy made when they promulgated the 1992 constitution and both the NFP and SVT were wiped out in the subsequent election.
For Fiji’s sake I hope not.
God bless Fiji!
Our PM is the bravest man I know. In addition, his vibrant intelligence and his ability to correctly assess complex situations will give him the edge in the upcoming battle of ideas. I certainly look forward to have him battling the opposition in front of TV cameras. He will make Qarase and his ilk look like complete bumbling idiots.
On the issue of ‘battle of ideas’ for a better Fiji – I’d say PM VB would win this hands down.
Perhaps his next area of concern may need to be shifted to bread and butter issues like restoring the civil service pay by the 10% that was reduced years back. Coming up with strategies on how this is to be addressed in my opinion is really important as this will ensure that he has enough gun power to tackle the unions.
Economists have also been saying that the cost of living in Fiji is on the rise and I think come election time this will be a big draw card. So its important that our dear PM address this quickly so our workers are not too heavily affected and civil service workers appropriately compensated for all the hard work they have done since 2006.
As for other jobs I think our current PM has done alot by increasing the tax threshold to $15,000 and for minimum wage to increased. But I’m not well versed with all these. As for civil service workers – I haven’t heard of a pay increase for quite some time.
It would really be great if our PM address this quickly so he continues to get more support from our people.
Just to “throw spanner into the wheel”, what is the general consensus in Fiji in regards to getting rid of this old racial card being played by the old politicians to flame division? Are people aware NOW that this was a strategy utilised by old politicians just as the Colonial masters used “divide and rule” back in the days?
Am just curious, as I firmly believe that one of the biggest hurdles of moving Fiji into a better, genuine multi-racial and true democratic Fiji is the mind-set of people.
Bainimarama will wage a battle of ideas that will stun the old parties like deer in the headlights. In fact they have no ideas. All they want is put their snouts back in the trough and feed like the dogs they are. Our PM in contrast has so many good ideas that even if only 10% are implemented we will be better off. Looks at his brilliant proposal to privatise state owned enterprises such as FEA, FSC, Tropic Woods and the Housing Authority. Although a bit difficult to pull off in the current climate, this are brilliant ideas nevertheless. Then the Chinese ethanol projects using cassava as a feedstock. This could make Fiji independent from fuel imports and help to fight lifestyle diseases such as obesity. Best of all is the introduction of a competitive labour market. By allowing the Chinese to bring in their own unskilled labour for construction projects, our PM has shown the local laggards that they have to compete with the rest of the world. The list goes on and I really look forward to see our PM trading arguments with the likes of Qarase who is nothing but a failed banker, a has been without a pension and convicted felon.
Dole bludger and top grog swiper on australia taxpayers’ expense Suliasi Daunitutu has been ranting about ‘liberty or death’ and ‘rape of democracy from top to bottom…left to right….inside and out and vice versa’. Questions posted to him on c4.5 were deleted. He was asked:
Where were you when Rabuka, Speight, the GCC and Methodist Church systematically raped democracy?
Where were you when Qarase and his cronies like disbarred lawyer Qoriniasi Bale used democracy as a charade and cover to incite racial animosity to mask siphoning of FHL shares, and sale of native land?
Where were you when democracy was prostituted, sodomised and pimped by Qarase and cronies?
Before Suli could respond, the post was deleted.
I dont think we should care about Suli and what he thinks. From various posts I have read he is an uneducated dole bludger and drug pusher living in Canberra who was employed as a painter in the the Army’s construction corps, from which he was kicked out.
Being a nobody he was not in a position to do anything about Rabuka in 1987, Speight in 2000 and Qarase in 2006 etc.
He is an internet “troll” and a shit stirrer. A man with no ideas about sorting out his own sad personal situation, let alone offer solutions on how Fiji can sort national issues. Don’t bother with scumbags ike him
Okay, things seem to have dried up here. The article is titled “The battle of Ideas begins” so where are they ?
Frank or any other government get their ideas from the people, whether it be the bus driver, nurses union rep, company director or junior politician.
Forgetting the politics for a while we all have to agree that for a better life for all the economy has to be boosted so just HOW do we do it ?
We can boost tourism but that is not going to give work for all that want it.
So here’s a challenge for all those that want to push Fiji and it’s economy forward come up with your ideas of ‘money making’ investments or improvements to existing commercial interests that are going to give more employment and hence more money available for government to spend on the country.
I’ll start.
“Fiji has a vast mahogany reserve and the maximum return on timber is when you add value to it by turning it into a finished product of something someone wants to buy (example Pacific Green with palm wood). I believe we should be scouring the markets worldwide, finding what’s wanted setting up factory and making it here.”
Okay here is a 10 point plan to start the discussion:
[1] Continue the investment and support for tourism to take our vistor numbers over 1million per annum.
[2] Finish the Casino – but only make it available to those with Foreign passports as another avenue to boost tourism numbers, but tax the proceeds of the casino so that money can flow back into the Fiji economy.
[3] Encourage import substitution both in terms of manufactured items and in food production. The development of our Mahogany resources falls into this category.
[4] Encourage the development of our vast tracts of land – this can be used to produce food for local consumption or export, or raw materials for other import substitutes like cassava for ethanol. The PM’s recent initiative making available land for young farmers is an extremely good initiative.
[5] Encourage Vodafone and Telecom Fiji to push 100% internet coverage for Fiji – and working in hand with that completely revamp our school curriculum and health services delivery methods to leverage the power of the internet. Impose censorship on the internet so that destructive uses of the internet for gambling and pornography are prohibited.
[6] build on his recent visit to PNG and encourage labour migration/sharing with PNG of our our surplus skilled human resources like nurses and teachers.
[7] Free up the capital markets by encouraging competition for the FNPF – letting one or two other Super funds into the country to operate – maybe some of the funds from PNG.
[8] Take the knife to the Civil service – use the pervasive internet coverage referred to in [5] above to deliver more of the services online – reducing the numbers of the Civil service and pushing people to the front lines of the Government service.
[9] Transform the disciplined forces into a training instrument for all of our young people that choose not to pursue tertiary education or a certificate in the trades (as mechanics, electricians, builders, plumbers etc.) If you are not in a trade or at a university of Tech, you go to the army and learn a trade.
[10] Encourage the exploration of our mineral wealth – minerals, oil and gas. But do this with reputable companies who will use the worlds best practice methods.
Finally, do all of this under the umbrella of a national civi education program that makes everyone understand that we are all in this together and we have much to offer one another and the world.
Amen Tevita Wailoa. Kalougata tiko.
[11] teach children from school age onwards that racism is undemocratic.
[12] force lawyers who are greedy and dishonest to find other employment.
[13] start elections for village leadership. Abolish hereditary title.
Terrific post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Cheers!
This amazing article, “# THE