A delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Headquarters met with the Parliament of Fiji this week as part of a CPA Benchmarks self-assessment. The CPA’s Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures provide a framework for excellence in Commonwealth parliamentary and legislative practice and were updated to include the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG16 on strong and sustainable democratic institutions. In recent years, 23 Commonwealth Parliaments have undertaken further assessments against the updated CPA Benchmarks.
As part of their visit, the CPA delegation met with the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, the Secretary-General and Members of Parliament as well as parliamentary staff, and other stakeholders including Government officials, the media and civil society groups.
The CPA Benchmarks assessment was supported by Anne Sargent, Deputy Clerk, Legislative Council of the Parliament of Victoria and Matthew Salik, Head of Programmes from the CPA Headquarters.
Speaking about the self-assessment, the Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji, Hon. Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu said:
“The Fijian Parliament is committed to the benchmarks assessment excercise as the outcome will enable us to embrace and build upon the good practices currently being executed but more importantly to address and improve on the gaps that will be identified as this is critically essential. As the Speaker and in cognisant of the underlying principles under SDG 16, my aim is to strengthen this august institution to ensure that it is accountable, transparent and effective.”
At the conclusion of the process, a report will be formulated with recommendations for reform to strengthen parliamentary institutions in Fiji. The outcomes report will play an important role in developing the effectiveness of the Parliament and contribute to its ongoing implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg, said:
“Effective Parliaments are the cornerstone of good governance and the CPA works to ensure that Legislatures can function to their maximum potential. Self-assessment against the CPA Benchmarks ensures that Parliaments can vigorously scrutinise their practices and procedures to become better performing Legislatures. In addition, the CPA Benchmarks assessments have strengthened public outreach, engagement and confidence.”
This CPA Benchmarks assessment is being supported with project funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) aimed at further parliamentary democracy and good governance across the Commonwealth.
The CPA supports Parliaments to fulfil the outcomes of the self-assessments through CPA Technical Assistance Programmes, which could involve updating the rules of procedures, training for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff, or developing corporate policies. These project outputs will strengthen parliamentary institutions for improved good governance.
