History of The Senate
The Fijian Senate came into being in 1972, when the old unicameral Legislative Council was replaced by the bicameral Parliament. The Senate has been restructured twice since the original constitutional structures went into effect.
From 1972 to 1987, the Senate consisted of 22 members. Appointed by the Governor-General on the nomination of the Great Council of Chiefs (8), the Prime Minister (7), the Leader of the Opposition (6), and the Council of Rotuma (1), Senators served six-year terms, with half retiring every three years. The first term of office for half of the nominees of the Great Council of Chiefs and of the Leader of the Opposition, 3 of the 7 nominees of the Prime Minister, and the lone Rotuman Senator, was for three years only, ending in 1975. The Senate was a permanent body; it was never dissolved.
The Constitution was rewritten following two military coups in 1987. The Senate was expanded to 34 members appointed by the President for four-year terms, with half retiring every two years. The President appointed 24 Senators on the nomination of the Great Council of Chiefs, 1 on the nomination of the Council of Rotuma, and a further 9 at his own discretion from the Indo-Fijian and minority communities. This arrangement was in effect from 1992 to 1999. The first term of 12 of the 24 Senators nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs and 4 of the 9 appointed to represent other communities was for two years only, ending in 1994. As previously, the Senate was never dissolved.
The present Constitutional arrangements came into effect in 1997-1998, and the first Senate so appointed took office in 1999. For the first time, all Senators served concurrent, five-year terms, coinciding with the term of the House of Representatives.
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