Fiji flag

Bainimarama was responding to a question in Parliament by Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa who asked whether the Fijian Government would consider a referendum given the overwhelming negative reaction to the plans to change the Fiji flag.

“Thank you Madam Speaker, the simple answer is no!” said Bainimarama.

A statement issued from his office confirmed that more flag designs would be added to the 23 that were released on June 9.

"While we had originally set a deadline of Tuesday 30 June for the first phase of the flag selection process to be completed, the Government has decided to extend the period of consultation," he said.

"More choices are going to be offered over the next few weeks and months. And the closing date for design consultations will now be 31 December 2015. Cabinet and then Parliament will consider the new flag design when it convenes in 2016."