Atu Emberson Bain

Who is Atu Emberson Bain?

Atu Emberson Bain is a Fijian political leader. A leading figure the Fiji Labour Party, she served from 1999 to 2006 as one of 8 Senators nominated by the Leader of the Opposition.

Bain is known for her outspoken opinions. She has called for the voting age to be lowered, for the national flag which currently bears the British Union Jack to be changed, and for the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to be removed from the national currency. She is on record as saying that after 18 years as a republic, Fiji should consider whether it is appropriate to retain the symbols of its colonial past.

Bain has a tense relationship with fellow-Senator Ratu George Cakobau, one of 14 nominees of the Great Council of Chiefs. Parliamentary debates between the two have sometimes turned acrimonious, with Cakobau questioning her right to speak on matters pertaining to indigenous Fijians on the grounds that she is not indigenous.. He has attacked her for commenting on the Vola ni Kawa Bula, saying that only registered members of the VKB have the right to make comments on it. In late 2005, a Senatorial committee investigated a complaint from Bain that Cakobau insulted her.