Fiji's opposition leader has rejected the government's offer to have two opposition members sit on a committee overseeing a competition to select a new national flag.
Ro Teimumu Kepa says she has rejected the offer by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, saying there is no need for opposition nominees and no need for a separate flag committee.
Mr Bainimarama announced the flag change last month, saying the current Union Jack and Coat of Arms beneath doesn't represent Fiji, but rather former colonial power Britain.
But the Opposition says the change is undemocratic, and a petition has been circulated to try and prevent the change.
Ro Teimumu told the Fiji Times the petition has been referrred to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights which will soon call on submissions from the people.
She says establishing a separate flag committee is a waste of money when a democratic parliamentary select committee could have done the same job.
