MY FELLOW FIJIANS,

ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE ALL CELEBRATING FIJI DAY – 44 YEARS AFTER OUR FLAG WAS FIRST RAISED ON INDEPENDENCE DAY 1970.

OF ALL OUR FIJI DAYS SINCE THEN, THIS IS THE MOST JOYOUS. BECAUSE WE HAVE OPENED A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR NATIONAL LIFE THAT OFFERS GREAT PROMISE FOR EVERY FIJIAN NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE.

I JOIN YOU IN YOUR HOMES TONIGHT TOWARDS THE END OF A MOMENTOUS WEEK IN WHICH HISTORY WAS MADE AND WHICH MANY OF US WILL NEVER FORGET.

Madam Speaker,

The Honourable Chief Justice and Members of the Judiciary,

The Honourable Leader of Opposition,

Honourable Members of Parliament,

Your Excellencies,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,