No life membership for GCC: Minister
Wednesday August 29, 2007

Interim Fijian Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau

Fiji's interim Fijian Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau says there is no such thing as a life membership of the Great Council of Chiefs under the Fijian Affairs Act.

His comment comes following the removal of the provision for life membership.

Sitiveni Rabuka was the only lifetime member of the GCC who has now lost his position.

Ratu Epeli said that the Fijian Affairs Minister has the power to change the regulations when there is a need.

"The president using the powers of section 3 of the Fijian Affairs Act, Section 3 regulations has the power to determine the number of the GCC and also to revoke the membership," he said.

"Let me reiterate there is no such thing as life membership," he said.

Fiji's President, Vice President and interim Prime Minister have all lost their ex-officio membership of the Great Council of Chiefs.

He said President Ratu Josefa Iloilo has promulgated a decree in the Government gazette detailing the changes which will see the membership of the Great Council being reduced from 55 to 52.

Ratu Epeli said new criteria for the selection of members of the GCC will be drawn up soon.