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History of Fiji Labour Party
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Chronological
history |
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Bavadra's legacy |
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Party launch 1985 |
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July 6th 1985 |
The Fiji Labour Party was launched on under
the aegis of the Fiji Trades Union Congress to fight the Alliance Party's
growing insensitivity towards the plight of the workers and the poor. Held
at Fijian Teacher Union (FTU) hall attended by FTUC executives,
politicians, professionals and a record number of people. |
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April 1987 |
The Fiji Labour Party in coalition with
National Federation Party won the General elections with an overwhelming
majority. This was the first time in history of Fiji that a party apart
from the ruling alliance had won the general elections so convincingly.
There was a real optimism in the country and the majority of people were
looking forward to the new Government. |
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April 13th 1987 |
The Fiji Labour Party President and Leader
sworn in as Fiji's second Prime Minister and Minister for Public Service
and Fijian Affairs. |
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End of April 1987 |
The swearing in of the Fiji Labour Party and
NFP coalition Government Ministers. The Government later went on to waive
the hospital fees that is still practised today and other significant
decisions were taken within a month in office. |
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May 14th 1987 |
The coalition government is deposed and the
cabinet and members of the government are held hostage for 7 days. |
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June 1987 |
A delegation led by Fiji Labour Party Leader
for the restoration of democracy in Fiji begins and discussions are held
with Sir William Heseltine, the Queen's Private Secretary, the
commonwealth Secretary General, Sir Shirdath Ramphal. The visit is
followed over the course by meetings with the heads of governments, trade
unions and political leaders from Australia, New Zealand, India, United
States, Canada, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia. |
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September 1987 |
The Fiji Labour Party Leader leads a
delegation of his deposed colleagues in discussions with the defeated
Alliance party headed by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. A political solution is
found in the Deuba Accord. Signed on September 23, 1987, it is based on an
agreement between the deposed government and the Alliance to share power. |
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September 25th 1987 |
A second military coup takes place. The
Labour Party Leader, Bavadra along with many of his colleagues and
sympathisers are again arrested and held in detention at the Naboro Prison
about 30 kilometres from Suva. |
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May 14th 1988 |
Activists for democracy arrested at Sukuna
Park at the first anniversary of the coup, among them Dr. Atu Bain and Dr.
Vijay Naidu. |
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Sep 1987 - 1989 |
The fight for restoration of democracy
continues with Fiji Labour Party leading the way. May 14th is declared a
black day in the history of Fiji and black bands are worn in remeberence
and protest of the dreadful day. Various meetings are held with
institutions and leaders of others countries as well as the Commonwealth. |
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November 3rd 1989 |
The leader of Fiji Labour Party is taken ill
and expires. Record 60,000 people attended the great leaders funeral with
schools being closed for the day in his respect. |
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1990 - 1992 |
Fiji Labour Party faces tough times during
the years but still manages to fight for restoration of democracy and
leads a very meaningful protest against the 1990 constitution. Protests
against the 1990 Constitution lead to the burning of the Constitution
during Diwali by some members of the Party. |
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1992 |
Fiji Labour Party, despite struggling manages
to win 7 seats in the House of Representatives and together with other
parties forms a very formidable Opposition. Mr. Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi is the
youngest MP in the House of Representative. |
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June 1993 |
The Labour Leader, Mr. Mahendra Pal Chaudhry
leads a workout of the parliament when the Prime Minister, Rabuka fails to
honour a pact made just after the 1992 General elections. |
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October 1993 |
Dr. Kanhaiya Simadri Naidu, a dedicated and
active party stalwart passed away. |
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1994 |
Snap elections held and Fiji Labour Party
again wins 7 seats and remains in the Opposition. |
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June 29th 1994 |
Mr. Shiromani Madhwan succumbed to failing
health which kept him in hospital both here and abroad for many weeks
before his death. |
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1994 |
Labour Party MP's, Mahendra Chaudhry, Krishna
Datt and Hardayal Singh are appointed to the Constitution Review
Parliamentary Select Committee. |
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August 1994 |
Labasa By-election held after the untimely
death of NFP Parliamentarian, Shree Ramlu. FLP and NFP agreed on a
compromised candidate Munsami Chinnakannu. Elected unopposed. |
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May 8th 1995 |
The party was shocked by the untimely death
of Hardayal Singh in a car accident just two weeks before the Delegates
Conference. Haradayal had won his parliamentary seat in the 1994 general
election, defeating NFP President, Balwant Singh Rakka. |
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1997 |
The new Constitution was adopted after
extensive consultation with all parties. |
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1998 |
Fiji Labour Party entered into a coalition
with Fijian Association Party headed by Adi Kuini Speed, and Party of
National Unity, headed by Tui Ba, Ratu Sairusi Nagagavoka, to fight the
upcoming 1999 general elections. |
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May 1999 |
Fiji Labour Party wins the majority of 37
seats and together with its coalition 52 seats out of possible 71 seats. |
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September 1999 |
Fiji Labour Leader and for the first time in
Fiji's democratic history, a Fiji-born Indian, Mr. Mahendra Pal Chaudhry
is sworn in as the Prime Minister of Republic of the Fiji Islands. |
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September 1999 |
Peoples Coalition Government Cabinet sworn in
with the Dr. Tupeni Baba and Adi Kuini Speed as the deputy Prime
Ministers. |
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Coalition Government Cabinet 1999
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May 19th 2000 |
A band of terrorists led by failed
businessman George Speight storms the parliament with the help of Counter
Revolutionary Warfare Unit soldiers and takes the government and its
members hostage. The members of People's Coalition Government were held
for 56 days before they were released. |
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April 2000 |
Fiji's first ever-political refugee camp
emerged amidst continued terrorism by the Muaniweni and Dawasamu
landowners. The police and the Army are unable to contain the continued
terrorist acts and the tenant community flee leaving everything behind. |
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Hostage Labour Party parliamentarians May 2000
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August 2000 |
The Peoples Coalition Government hostages are
released. |
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November 2001 |
Landmark victory at the Fiji Labour Party
backed Chandrika Prasad appeals case whereby Fiji Court of Appeal
judgement ruled in favour and upheld the 1997 Constitution. |
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August 2001 |
The general elections saw the return of the
majority of the Fiji Labour Party back in the House of Representatives.
However, a new Party led by Laisenia Qarase in coalition with
nationalistic Matanitu Vanua forms the government. |
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September 2001 |
SDL government fails to uphold the
Constitution and the spirit of reconciliation by omitting Fiji Labour
Party from the Cabinet. Fiji Labour Party mounts a challenge in the Court
against its omission from the Cabinet. |
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2001 |
Opposition Leader rejects four nominees from
the eight submitted by the Fiji Labour Party and appoints his four. Fiji
Labour Party again challenges the decision in Court. |
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October 2001 |
Nadi Open candidate Mr. Krishna Prasad mount
a legal challenge against the Opposition Leader, stating that Mr. Prasad
should be the legal representative of that Constituency. Similar cases are
filed in Suva by FLP candidates, Mrs Lavenia Padarath, Joeli Kalou and
John Ali. Judgement pending. |
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February 2002 |
Krishna Prasad of Labour Party wins the case
and is declared the elected candidate of Nadi Open Constituency.
Opposition Leader appeals for a stay order against the decision even
though there is no jurisdiction on the decision of the High Court. Appeal
pending. |
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March 2002 |
The Appeals Court rules that the Opposition
Leaders nomination is unconstitutional and the President should call fresh
nomination. |
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April 2002 |
Chief Justice grants the Opposition Leader an
extension on the stay order amidst growing controversy. |
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April 2002 |
The High rules in favour of Fiji Labour Party
stating that FLP should be included in the Cabinet. SDL contemplates
appealing. |
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April 2002 |
Seven Fiji Labour Party Senators sworn in the
Upper House of Representatives. |
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