New Zealand says its high commissioner to Fiji has not been recalled amid criticism against the government's involvement in the controversial Draft Police Bill in Fiji.
Jonathan Curr. Photo: MFAT
New Zealand had co-funded the Bill's public consultations with the support of the UN's development program (UNDP).
When RNZ Pacific met High Commissioner Jonathan Curr in Auckland, he had just completed a Covid-19 14-day quarantine.
While Curr could not respond to queries on why he was back or his government's role in the Draft Bill, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Curr was home for both work and personal reasons.
The spokesperson also said Curr's visit had been planned for some time.
Any suggestion that he has been "recalled is simply not true", the spokesperson said.
The draft legislation, which was withdrawn by Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama last Friday, would have given police more surveillance powers if passed in parliament.
Bainimarama's move was also criticised.
The Prime Minister pulling the plug on the controversial proposed Police Bill without an official announcement raises more questions than answers, Fiji's Opposition National Federation Party said.
Bainimarama told State-owned media the draft legislation would not reach Parliament because the government wasn't consulted.
In a statement, Bainimarama said: "I want to assure the Fijian people that the text of the so-called Draft Fiji Police Bill does not represent government policy and will not be presented to Parliament.
"The draft text was drafted and released unilaterally by the Fiji Police Force. It was not cleared by the Solicitor-General's office nor was it brought to Cabinet for Government's endorsement.
"It is standard practice that government agencies consult within government before seeking consultation from the public."
Bainimarama said he was disappointed that this process was not followed, adding that had it been, the 'draft text never would have seen the light of day'.
But NFP President, Pio Tikoduadua, said the prime minister's comments come two weeks after his Defence Minister, Inia Seruiratu, was photographed at the launch of public consultations on the Bill.
The launch was attended by officials from NZ's High Commission and the UNDP in Suva.
Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, right, and Minister for Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu. Photo: Fiji govt
The Bill is expected to replace the Police Act of 1965.
It was heavily criticised by civil society groups, individuals and opposition parties including moves for New Zealand to recall high commissioner Curr.
Following Bainimarama's retraction of the public consultations, Seruiratu his minister in charge of the police force, issued an apology.
Seruiratu said he was sorry for allowing the draft Police Bill to go for public consultations.
He said the ministry overlooked the process the draft document had to go through.
"I did the launching because of the work we had prepared," Seruiratu said. "We have overlooked the process, we sincerely apologise for that."
Meanwhile, New Zealand said it stood by its decision to support the public consultations on the Bill.
"New Zealand supports a final Bill that takes into consideration a diversity of views," the MFAT spokesperson said.
"That is why we are continuing to support work to enable an open consultation process that allows the Fijian community to have their say and contribute towards shaping the final Bill.
"This level of support is part of our broader law and justice and good governance support in the Pacific."
There has been no involvement by New Zealand in drafting or developing the Bill, the spokesperson said.
As for the withdrawal of the Bill, MFAT said New Zealand's intention was always to support the democratic process and the opportunity for Fijians to voice their views.
"We welcome the Fiji government's commitment for a formal public consultation on the next draft version of the Bill."
The Draft Bill is now under review, the prime minister said.