November 1, 2016 Indian Newslink Digital Edition

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12 Viewlink NOVEMBER 1, 2016 Fiji revisits friendship and foreign policy The English Fortnightly (Since November 1999) Issue 357 | November 1, 2016 Time to harness relations beyond trade In the history of the world, bilateral relations exist in a variety of forms – some of them are purely on give-and-take such as trade and investment; some of them survive based on security blankets- a watchdog enterprise to ensure territorial safety; and yet others are based on mutual respect and pure relationships. India-NewZealand relationship is gone past the oft-repeated rhetoric of democracy, justice system, free and fair elections, love of cricket and the celebration of Indian culture and tradition. Promoting food safety Far there is a need to understand the challenges of friends and help them to improve productivity and profitability. In the case of India, food production runs counter to any free trade concept since it has sufficient resources to meets its internal demand. However, Food Safety is a sector where the country needs international expertise, for, reports say that India loses almost 40% - either wasted or pilfered. Mr Key rightly asked businesses to consider taking our expertise in logistics and chain management. It was therefore propitious that an agreement was signed between the two governments to food safety. Maritime security is another area in which the the Modi and Key governments found synergy, leading to an accord, which will also see a combined approach to customs, cyber security and related matters. This Agreement provides for a framework that would allow sharing information on new customs procedures and techniques. Tackling terrorism Terrorism is an area of serious concern for India and hence Modi welcomed the agreement on relevant issues including the need to eliminate terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks and their financing, and stopping cross-border terrorism. The Indian side however has cause to be frustrated as there was no indication on settling the contentious Nuclear Supplies Group (NSG). India has sought membership, and New Zealand is willing to vote for its inclusion provided New Delhi signs the NPT. The visit comes in the run-up to a crucial NSG Consultative Group (CG) meeting to be held in Vienna specifically to consider whether countries that haven’t signed on to the NPT (like India and Pakistan) can be considered for membership. India would face the meeting almost emptyhanded. Other matters There are other matters which we will discuss in due course. Mr Key would like to see the positive aspects of his visit, saying that he has met a friendly Prime Minister who understands New Zealand and willing to work with it. That may a general statement but let us believe that a new door has opened for better engagement keeping aside the ever-evasive Free Trade Agreement. Goodwill inaugurates a new Chapter with Fiji Fiji’s Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama may not have been popular with the mainstream media, but appears to done well with most his people and the business community during his first official visit to New Zealand last month. But visits of Prime Ministers are evaluated on the element of goodwill that they establish with their counterparts and officials of the guest governments. Having given a tongue-lash to Prime Minister John Key during the latter’s visit to Fiji on June 9 at a State Banquet, Mr Bainimarama appears to have softened his approach. He lifted all bans on the New Zealand media people from visiting his country, and took on a conciliatory approach to most issues, except on matters relating to the Pacific Islands Forum and PACE Plus. The Indian Equation With India showing interest in seeking full membership to the Forum (from its current Observer Status), there could perhaps be a resolution. Indications in Delhi are that there are synergies being developed to make the Forum a more cohesive organisation. New Delhi may be able to convince Mr Bainimarama that Australia and New Zealand should be considered as important and inevitable members. Prior to his departure from New Zealand, Mr Bainimarama said that he was encouraged by the positive nature of his meeting with Mr Key. Encouraging Signs “I am very pleased that the Prime Minister (John Key) has agreed with me to take the relationship to another level, a relationship where we let bygones be bygones and work closely together to advance the interests of Fiji and New Zealand’s peoples,” he said. Speaking to journalists later, Mr Key acknowledged that the government still had concerns about freedom of the media and human rights but it was encouraging that Mr Bainimarama had lifted a ban on several New Zealand journalists coming to Fiji. He said he had talked to Mr Bainimarama about that and told him it was in the best interests of Fiji to have a free media even if you didn’t always like what was said. We have analysed several matters relating to Fiji in this issue. We would like to believe that a new Chapter of good relations is in the making. For it is not in the interest of either country to measure noses. Conciliation rather than confrontation, will deliver benefits to both countries. Indian Newslink is published by Indian Newslink Limited from its offices located at Level 1, Number 166, Harris Road, East Tamaki, Auckland 2013 and printed at Horton Media Limited, Auckland. All material appearing here and on our web editions are the copyright of Indian Newslink and reproduction in full or part in any medium is prohibited. Indian Newslink and its management and staff do not accept any responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Managing Director & Publisher: Jacob Mannothra Editor & General Manager: Venkat Raman Production Manager: Mahes Perera Phone: (09) 5336377 Email: info@indiannewslink.co.nz Websites: www.indiannewslink.co.nz; www.inliba.com; www.inlisa.com Mahendra Sukhdeo In September, Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama reshuffled his cabinet that, among other changes, saw the transfer of Ratu Inoke Kubuabola as the Defence Minister and assumed the role of Foreign Affairs Minister. These changes were made arguably in anticipation of his address at the 71st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 20, 2016. In his address, Bainimarama spelt out the crux of the policy shift and stated that he intended to redefine certain policies and give ‘A new direction.’ Fundamental axioms Essentially, the redefinition and the new direction reflected oh Fiji’s new found confidence and were based on two fundamental axioms. One, henceforth, the foreign policy would be predicated on its external trade policy and the emphasis would be on marketing its impressive array of authentic consumer products and services under the ‘Fijian Made’ brand such as Fiji Water, Pure Fiji Cosmetic, Fiji Timber, Fiji Kava and other manufactured goods together with pushing Fiji as a prime holiday destination in association with ‘Fiji Airways’, its flagship airline. Fiji already has gained a measure of foothold for its manufactured goods in the Pacific island nations and littoral countries such as Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. Now the objective would be to intensify marketing strategies by extending the marketing destinations. The National Export Strategy has already spent over F$12 million in boosting exports since 2009. In practical terms, it is translated as calibrating together the governing arms of the departments of foreign affairs, trade, tourism and aviation. Policy shift Further, it also means that the functionaries in these departments would have to work in congruence with one another as well as with the manufacturers and exporters to test their capacities to provide for the existing and new trading partners. The trading policy shift also considers the goal of accessing ‘international standard’ goods and services that would materially benefit the Fiji consumers. With an expanding Fijian Diaspora, together with the demand for pure, fresh and hygienic products, ‘Fiji Made’ goods are likely to be attractive in the existing and newer locales for which Fiji should gear itself with the right supply and marketing logistics. Bainimarama addressing the UN General Assembly on September 20 (UN Photo/Cia Pak) Bainimarama with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York on September 22 (UN Photo/Kim Haughton) The China Equation However, it is the second plank of the foreign policy shift that is likely to impact significantly on Fiji’s relations with other countries, more particularly, China. Long before the onset of Cyclone Winston, because of the bellicosity of its traditional foreign partners, Fiji was left in the cold. China, India and Malaysia filled the gap. Fiji has been experiencing a measure of isolation as it drifted towards the stranglehold of China. Fiji realises that its value system is different; its ascription of human rights is not of the same character as that of China, its multicultural demography is different from that of China and more intrinsically the respectful manner of treating a sovereign partner is equally far apart. More recently, China has exploited its new-found grandeur of an emerging superpower by imposing its control on the Spratly Islands, unilaterally supporting Pakistan’s export of mujahedeen (terrorists) into Kashmir Valley and rejecting calls for human rights violations in China. Fiji will now “rethink on some of its foreign policy positions and objectives” and “re-evaluate” its central framework of being “friends to all and enemies to none.” Values and Principles The corollary is that henceforth Fiji would choose friends “in a more discerning manner and align with those countries that share our underlying values and principles.” Bainimarama spells out specifically the values such as “mutual respect, respect for sovereignty and resolving of disputes by peaceful means and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs”. And above all, Bainimarama emphasises the requirement of the universal code of “adherence to international law, human rights and human dignity”. Fiji would thus gradually opt to “seek closer relations” with like-minded nations, especially those that respect human rights. This is a seismic shift in foreign policy. Will the West and more particularly New Zealand and Australia take concrete measures to strengthen relations with Fiji that was ruptured after the 2006 coup? The West has been known to be pontifical, verbose and dictatorial in their relations with Fiji. This cannot continue. The littoral old partners would have to treat Fiji with more sensitivity. Realistic approach Both Australia and New Zealand should recognise the primacy of Fiji in the Pacific Island Nations (PINs) and cannot be seen to be leading the Pacific Forum and they should allow inclusion of China and India in the Forum The policy shift has evolved out of the warm relationship between Suva and Wellington as well as between Suva and Canberra. The gratuitous assistance provided by the two countries has given rise to this shift. It is for Australia and New Zealand to rise to the occasion to capture the moment of opportunity. Bainimarama delivered this ground-breaking address when Fiji is seeking to be the first Pacific member-nation of the UN Human Rights Council commencing in 2018. While some may view the address as grandstanding for Fiji’s bid for a seat in the Human Rights Council, the explicit tenor of the text indicates the veracity of Bainimarama regime’s “new found confidence” to initiate a ground-breaking foreign policy. Additional reading: Fiji revisits friendship and foreign policy under Viewlink. Mahendra Sukhdeo is a Fiji-born academic, writer, researcher and author. He is an astute observer of Fiji politics. The scone edition of his book, ‘Aryan Avatars,’ published by USP is now available at its Bookstore in Suva, Fiji.
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 Businesslink 13 Overworked, understaffed Police warrant attention David Shearer Being safe in our homes and communities IS the minimum that we should be able to expect in New Zealand. But under National, even that is under threat. For years, National has under-funded Police, and crime is rising. Since National came to office, population growth and inflation have added a combined 25% to Police costs but Police funding has risen by just 14%. There are Police available. When National came to power there was an officer for every 488 people. Now there are only one for every 528 people. Community Police Worse, Community Police stations have closed. In my area, St Lukes, Pt Chev and Mt Albert each has lost their community constables through Police restructuring. They call it ‘streamlining’ but each of those neighbourhoods has experienced it as a serious loss. Community constables know their local areas, understand the problems and characters involved, and because of that they can be strategic and targeted in the use of their time. Now they are gone, centralised into a nameless grouping miles away; that is supposed to be more efficient but the faces keep changing and the numbers keep dropping, when they should be increasing. Stress is telling Thus, victims of crime in my neighbourhood now sometimes ask me to phone the Police for them – to hurry them along. Our Police officers do the best job they can, but their caseloads are too big and their stations are understaffed, and hence fundamentals like response times and crime resolution are starting to show cracks. The result of all this has been a massive increase in crime: burglaries are up 32% since August 2014 – that is an extra 50 burglaries every day. Assaults are up 8% and thefts up 3%, while robberies are up a staggering 66%. Despite promises of a ‘War on P,’ the drug has become cheaper and more readily available. The resolution rate for crimes is falling too. Just one in twenty burglaries is now solved and the offender taken to court. Police are stretched too thin to stop crime and catch criminals because National hasn’t given them the funds to do the job. Crime costs While a rise in crime is unsettling for New Zealand families, it’s also very expensive. Last fortnight, the National government announced that it will spend $1 billion adding another 1800 beds to prisons. The prison population is forecast to reach 10,000 by 2017 and Corrections is looking to recruit 600 new prison officers by next September. Spending that much on prisons shows how badly we are falling short. Even our Deputy Prime Minister Bill English has called it evidence of moral and fiscal failure. After years of underfunding and neglect of our excellent Police force, crime is getting out of control in New Zealand, and there is now a lot of catching up to do. The National government needs to make a priority of keeping New Zealanders safe, and take a good hard look at the causes of crime. David Shearer is an elected Member of Parliament from Mt Albert in Auckland and Labour Party’s spokesman for Foreign Affairs. Not even sky is the limit for house prices James Shaw The price of the average house in Auckland recently rose above $1 million. I think that’s ridiculous and shows that the housing market is broken. Every person should know that if they work hard and save up, they can afford to buy their own home. But how can a young family in Auckland do that, when even the average house costs over $1 million? The truth is that people earning normal incomes just cannot afford to buy their own home in our biggest city anymore. Worried people If we look at a teacher, a nurse, or a police officer, they might earn $50,000-$60,000 a year. There is absolutely no way that they could buy a decent home for their family in Auckland on that salary. But we need teachers, nurses, and police officers in Auckland. They are vital for the city to function properly. Businesspeople have started telling me that they are worried about attracting staff to Auckland, because housing is too expensive. In the meantime, rents are rising and families who rent can be pushed from house to house every 12 months. Children would have to move schools and people find it hard to put down roots in their communities. What can be done to fix housing? The National Government has had eight years to fix it, and they have failed. Fixing the problem But if we change the government, we will know what to do. Firstly, we need to fix the rental housing market. The Green Party is working to change the tenancy laws so that people who rent get longer term security. This would allow people to call their rented house a home. We also think that rent rises should be more transparent. When a bank raises someone’s mortgage payments, they must explain why and how they calculated the new payments. We think renters should get that same transparency when landlords raise rents. Building homes But the big goal is still home ownership. Auckland is 40,000 homes short of what it needs to meet demand, and in addition, needs about another 15,000 new homes built every year just to keep up with population growth. The market has not been able to build that many homes, which is why the Government needs to build more houses. We also have a problem with property speculation in Auckland. I believe that first and foremost, houses are for meant for occupation. It is natural that homeowners might make a reasonable profit if they sell their house and move elsewhere, but making a profit should not be the main reason for buying a house but to create a home for yourself and your family. Capital Gains Tax That is why the Gree Party will close the loopholes that allow property investors to make a lot of money at the expense of home buyers. We’d also like to see a capital gains tax (excluding the family home). Every dollar people earn by working for wages or a salary is taxed. We think that it’s fair that the money property speculators earn on houses gets taxed too. And finally, we think that too many young families who have managed to save up enough to buy their first home are being outbid by overseas investors. The Green Party has a very simple principle: anyone who lives in New Zealand for a reasonable amount of time should be able to buy a home, but people who do not live here shouldn’t be able to. We think that is fair. There are lots of things that can be done to fix the housing crisis, but the National government is not doing enough. That is why we need to change the government. James Shaw is Co-Leader of Green Party and its Spokesman for Climate Change and Economic Development.
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