9 Aug 2019

Rabuka says no confidence attempt more about consolidating Fiji opposition

12:23 pm on 9 August 2019

The leader of Fiji's SODELPA party says an attempt to move a motion of no confidence against the government this week was more about consolidating the opposition.

Sitiveni Rabuka

Sitiveni Rabuka Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Kelvin Anthony

The notice of a motion was submitted on Wednesday but withdrawn three hours later after the speaker ordered an urgent debate that night.

Sitiveni Rabuka said the opposition wasn't ready for that, as they expected one to be on Friday.

He said the other opposition party, the National Federation Party, hadn't yet committed to their position on a motion.

"We had gone through that and informed them and told them to be ready, and they were unsure if they too were ready - not only to vote, but also their contribution. So, we felt that on our side we didn't have the numbers, but we were prepared to go ahead to make it a consolidated opposition opposition."

Sitiveni Rabuka said he has no confidence in the government's running of the country and wouldn't rule out another attempt.