Passing of Speaker of Parliament of Fiji

I convey my deepest condolences on the passing of the Hon Dr Jiko Luveni, the Speaker of the Fiji Parliament, to her family, and the Government, Parliament and people of Fiji.

Dr Luveni forged a strong path for women in Parliament and in leadership, in Fiji and across the Pacific.

A graduate of the University of Sydney and the first woman to graduate from the Fiji School of Medicine, Dr Luveni was a committed and passionate leader of Fiji, who was a champion for health, social welfare and women.

Under her leadership, the Fiji Parliament has built strong links with the Australian Parliament and the Parliament of Victoria, strengthening the democratic bonds between our two nations.

Dr Luveni will be sorely missed by her colleagues and parliamentary peers across the Pacific.