Issue No: 928; 10 July 2001

Nasinu, with a population of over 70,000 people stretching between Suva and Nausori, was declared a town by the People's Coalition Government in 2000. An interim town council was appointed whose responsibility was to prepare the town for municipal elections and subsequent levying of rates and provision of municipal services. During the interim period, the government was responsible for financing the activities of the Nasinu Council.

The Qarase regime, however, decided to impose a town rate on Nasinu residents. The decision followed the changing of the Chairmanship of the Council from a professional manager to a defeated politician.

Ali has taken the regime to the court saying that the Nasinu Council and the regime do not have any authority to levy rates. He says that the Council did not follow provisions of the Local Government Act, and that the Qarase regime's Minister Tuakitau Cakanauto had no powers to make regulations which overrode the laws enacted by the Parliament. Ali stated: "It is only the elected Parliament that can make or amend any law including the Local Government Act".

Ali has also told the residents to not to pay any rates until the Court decides on the matter. The Council is demanding rates from 1 July.