{{Short description|Fijian civil servant, diplomat, politician and minister (1946–2023)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Poseci Bune | honorific_suffix = | image = Poseci Bune 1985.jpg | caption = Bune in 1985 | office = | prime_minister = | term_start = | term_end = | predecessor = | successor = | office2 = | term_start2 = | term_end2 = | prime_minister2 = | predecessor2 = | successor2 = | office3 = Minister for Public Service | prime_minister3 = Frank Bainimarama | term_start3 = 8 January 2007 | term_end3 = 5 January 2008 | predecessor3 = | successor3 = Frank Bainimarama | office4 = Minister for the Environment | prime_minister4 = Laisenia Qarase | president4 = | term_start4 = 24 May 2006 | term_end4 = 5 December 2006 | predecessor4 = | successor4 = | office7 = Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forests | prime_minister7 = Mahendra Chaudhry | term_start7 = 1999 | term_end7 = 28 May 2000 | predecessor7 = | successor7 = | office8 = | prime_minister8 = | term_start8 = | term_end8 = | predecessor8 = | successor8 = | office9 = | prime_minister9 = | term_start9 = | term_end9 = | predecessor9 = | successor9 = | constituency_MP10 = Labasa Open | parliament10 = Fijian | term_start10 = 1 September 2001 | term_end10 = 5 December 2006 | predecessor10 = Nareish Kumar | successor10 = ''None'' (Parliament disestablished) | constituency_MP11 = Macuta | parliament11 = Fijian | term_start11 = 15 May 1999 | term_end11 = 1 September 2001 | predecessor11 = ''None'' (constituency established) | successor11 = Isireli Leweniqila | majority11 = | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1946|9|9}}<ref name=SOV>{{cite book |url=https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/128824/1/Speight_of_Violence.pdf |title=Speight of Violence : Inside Fiji's 2000 coup |last1=Field |first1=Michael |last2=Baba |first2=Tupeni |last3=Nabobo-Baba |first3=Unaisi |publisher=Pandanus Books |location=Canberra |year=2005 |access-date=30 March 2023 |isbn=9781740761703}}</ref>{{rp|211}} | birth_place = Suva, Fiji | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2023|11|22|1946|9|9}} | death_place = Nadi, Ba Province, Fiji | party = Christian Democratic Alliance <br /> Fiji Labour Party | alma_mater = | website = }}
'''Poseci Waqalevu Bune''' (9 September 1946<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poseci Waqalevu Bune 1946 - Google Search |url=https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-samsung&sca_esv=584578743&q=Poseci+Waqalevu+Bune+1946&tbm=bks&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjyi7aI2NeCAxWYcaQEHQOsAdEQ0pQJegQICRAB&biw=412&bih=652&dpr=2.63 |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=www.google.com |language=en}}</ref> – 22 November 2023) was a Fijian civil servant, diplomat, politician and Cabinet Minister. He served as chair of the Public Service Commissioner, secretary to the Prime Minister, and as Fiji's permanent representative to the United Nations, as well as a Cabinet Minister in the governments of Mahendra Chaudhry and Laisenia Qarase, and in the military regime of Frank Bainimarama. Bune died of prostate cancer on 22 November 2023, at the age of 77.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raqio |first1=Mosese |title=Former Politician Poseci Bune passes on |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Former-Politician-Poseci-Bune-passes-on-5f4xr8/ |access-date=22 November 2023 |publisher=Fiji Village |date=22 November 2023}}</ref>
==Civil service== Prior to entering politics, Bune was career civil servant who held various senior civil positions, including Commissioner of the Western Division<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/267063708 |title=STARBOAT OTWAY IN THE WAKE OF THE LOVE BOAT |work= Royal Australian Navy News |page=8 |date=9 April 1982 |access-date=30 March 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122479128 |title=Fiji braces for second cyclone |work=Canberra Times |page=3 |date=20 January 1985 |access-date=30 March 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and Public Service Commissioner.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-338214029/view?sectionId=nla.obj-341669682 |title=FIJI Professionals On The Run |work=Pacific Islands Monthly |volume=59 |issue=4 |page=12 |date=1 April 1988 |access-date=30 March 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In 1990, he became Secretary to the Government and Public Service, combining the roles of Public Service Commissioner and Permanent secretary to the Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120871387 |title=Fiji PS reshuffle |work=Canberra Times |page=13 |date=10 January 1990 |access-date=30 March 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In 1992 he was made permanent secretary of tourism, and then later permanent secretary of health.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-342648342/view?sectionId=nla.obj-345692325 |title=POLITICS-Fiji The new Rabuka |work=Pacific Islands Monthly |volume=64 |issue=4 |page=8 |date=1 April 1994 |access-date=30 March 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> From 1996 to 1999 he served as Fiji's ambassador to the United Nations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fijiprun.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=112&Itemid=16 |title=History of the Mission |publisher=Permanent Mission of the Republic of Fiji to the United Nations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122120352/http://www.fijiprun.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=112&Itemid=16 |archive-date=22 November 2010}}</ref>
== Political career == In 1998 Bune helped found the Christian Democratic Alliance (VLV). He contested the 1999 Fijian general election as a candidate for the party in the Macuata Fijian Communal constituency, and was elected to the House of Representatives of Fiji.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/f/fiji/fiji19992.txt |title=REPUBLIC OF THE FIJI ISLANDS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OF 8-15 MAY 1999 |publisher=Psephos |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> He was appointed to the People's Coalition Cabinet of Mahendra Chaudhry as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forests.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-346164323/view?sectionId=nla.obj-346994502 |title=Crossing Fiji's Can Chaudhry succeed where others have floundered? |work=Pacific Islands Monthly |volume=69 |issue=6 |page=29 |date=1 June 1999 |access-date=30 March 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He was taken hostage in the 2000 Fijian coup d'état and held prisoner for 55 days until he was released on 13 July 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-fiji-hostages/2L4S4ZNN5I6Y623Q2U4KASGJBU/ |title=The Fiji hostages |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date= 18 July 2000|access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref>
The VLV splintered following the coup, and Bune joined the Fiji Labour Party. He was re-elected in the Labasa Open Constituency at the 2001 election as an FLP candidate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/f/fiji/fiji20015.txt |title=REPUBLIC OF THE FIJI ISLANDS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OF 25 AUGUST TO 1 SEPTEMBER 2001 |publisher=Psephos |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> In May 2002 he accused the Qarase government of making racially-based diplomatic appointments.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/139421/former-fiji-ambassador-accuses-government-of-racial-appointments |title=Former Fiji ambassador accuses government of racial appointments |publisher=RNZ |date=15 May 2002 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> He repeatedly called for the 2000 coup to be fully investigated<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/141896/fiji-mp-calls-for-coup-plotters-to-be-exposed |title=Fiji MP calls for coup plotters to be exposed |publisher=RNZ |date=27 November 2002 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> and for those responsible for forcing the resignation of Kamisese Mara to face treason charges,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/142779/fiji-high-chief-seeks-inquiry-to-presidential-ouster-after-may-2000-coup |title=Fiji high chief seeks inquiry to presidential ouster after May 2000 coup |publisher=RNZ |date=12 March 2003 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> and alleged that senior police were impeding investigations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/147213/police-investigations-in-fiji's-coup-allegedly-hampered-by-senior-officers |title=Police investigations in Fiji's coup allegedly hampered by senior officers |publisher=RNZ |date=3 February 2004 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> In May 2003 he called for military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama's contract to be extended.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/143504/fiji's-labour-party-wants-military-commander's-contract-extended |title=Fiji's Labour Party wants military commander's contract extended |publisher=RNZ |date=8 May 2003 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> In August 2004 he accused Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase of having had advanced knowledge of the coup,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/149978/fiji-mp-says-the-prime-minister-had-advance-knowledge-of-the-2000-coup |title=Fiji MP says the prime minister had advance knowledge of the 2000 coup |publisher=RNZ |date=4 August 2004 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> and filed a police complaint against him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/150416/fiji-police-receive-complaint-accusing-pm-of-prior-knowledge-of-2000-coup |title=Fiji police receive complaint accusing PM of prior knowledge of 2000 coup |publisher=RNZ |date=30 August 2004 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> Qarase responded with legal action.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/153045/fiji-pm-to-take-legal-action-against-labour-party-mp |title=Fiji PM to take legal action against Labour Party MP |publisher=RNZ |date=2 February 2005 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref>
Bune opposed the Qarase government's early release of coup plotters,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/154498/criticism-in-fiji-over-release-of-lalabalavu-and-dimuri |title=Criticism in Fiji over release of Lalabalavu and Dimuri |publisher=RNZ |date=15 April 2005 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> and the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/155111/fiji-opposition-mps-contest-qarase-reconciliation-bill |title=Fiji opposition MPs contest Qarase reconciliation bill |publisher=RNZ |date=18 May 2005 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref>
In 2004 he was elected Deputy Leader of the FLP, and in February 2005 he was appointed deputy leader of the opposition, replacing Krishna Datt.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/153413/bune-appointed-fiji's-new-deputy-opposition-leader |title=Bune appointed Fiji's new deputy opposition leader |publisher=RNZ |date=21 February 2005 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref>
Bune was re-elected in the 2006 election,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/f/fiji/fiji20065.txt |title=REPUBLIC OF THE FIJI ISLANDS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OF 6 MAY 2006 |publisher=Psephos |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/162108/open-seats-in-suva-likely-to-be-key-in-fiji-election-result |title=Open seats in Suva likely to be key in Fiji election result |publisher=RNZ |date=16 May 2006 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> and appointed Minister for the Environment in Qarase's multi-party Cabinet.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/fiji-oppn-party-members-sworn-in/story-W0SUTMMQwqKNdJ49QdJWFN.html |title=Fiji Oppn party members sworn-in |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=24 May 2006 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> The FLP suffered an internal rift over participation in Cabinet,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/162968/cracks-in-the-fiji-labour-party |title=Cracks in the Fiji Labour party |publisher=RNZ |date=27 June 2006 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> and in June 2006 he was one of a group of FLP officials who blocked party leader Mahendra Chaudhry's appointees to the Senate of Fiji.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/163011/rift-in-fiji-labour-party-grows-wider |title=Rift in Fiji Labour Party grows wider |publisher=RNZ |date=28 June 2006 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> Bune then claimed to be party leader, as Chaudhry had not been re-endorsed by the membership following the election,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/163049/fiji-labour-officials-defy-leader |title=Fiji Labour officials defy leader |publisher=RNZ |date=29 June 2006 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> and won the support of a majority of the party's MPs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/163120/more-than-half-of-fiji-labour-party-mps-back-acting-leader-poseci-bune |title=More than half of Fiji Labour Party MPs back acting leader Poseci Bune |publisher=RNZ |date=4 July 2006 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> After being endorsed as party leader by President Iloilo, Chaudhry began the process to remove Bune from the party.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/163183/four-fiji-labour-mps-face-dismissal-from-the-party |title=Four Fiji Labour MPs face dismissal from the party |publisher=RNZ |date=6 July 2006 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> He was expelled from the FLP on 28 November 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166445/fiji-labour-party-expels-five-of-its-members |title=Fiji Labour Party expels five of its members |publisher=RNZ |date=29 November 2006 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> Under the Fijian constitution, Bune was set to forfeit his Ministerial role and his Parliamentary seat, subject to an appeal. The question was made moot, however, by the 2006 Fijian coup d'état that deposed the Qarase government on 5 December 2006, one day after his final expulsion from the Labour Party.
Following the coup, Bune called on Qarase and his supporters to accept the regime change and move aside to allow the country to "move forward", and warned then that deposed leaders never returned to power.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166675/deposed-fiji-minister-says-qarase-will-never-return |title=Deposed Fiji minister says Qarase will never return |publisher=RNZ |date=8 December 2006 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref>
On 8 January 2007 he was appointed to the military regime's interim cabinet as Minister of Public Services and Public Service Reform.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/chaudhry-answers-call-to-join-forces-with-coup-leader-20070110-gdp7k6.html |title=Chaudhry answers call to join forces with coup leader |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |date=10 January 2007 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167122/fiji's-president-appoints-eight-interim-ministers |title=Fiji's president appoints eight interim ministers |publisher=RNZ |date=8 January 2007 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> As Minister he purged the public service of those deemed uncooperative with the military regime,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167325/fiji-ceo-contracts-terminated |title=Fiji CEO contracts terminated |publisher=RNZ |date=19 January 2007 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> lowered the retirement age to force cuts,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167420/fiji-administration-to-lower-pension-age-to-55 |title=Fiji administration to lower pension age to 55 |publisher=RNZ |date=25 January 2007 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> and attempted to cancel a pay increase authorised by the elected government.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167692/standoff-between-fiji-public-sector-unions-and-interim-administration-escalates |title=Standoff between Fiji public sector unions and interim administration escalates |publisher=RNZ |date=7 February 2007 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> He also part-privatised Radio Fiji,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/173671/fiji-administration-to-sell-49-percent-of-radio-fiji |title=Fiji administration to sell 49% of Radio Fiji |publisher=RNZ |date=2 November 2007 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> drawing criticism after he appointed the younger brother of Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum as its new CEO.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/173968/qarase-alleges-nepotism-in-radio-fiji-top-appointment |title=Qarase alleges nepotism in Radio Fiji top appointment |publisher=RNZ |date=16 November 2007 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> He was replaced as a Minister in a cabinet reshuffle on 5 January 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/174775/nine-cabinet-ministers-dropped-in-fiji-cabinet-reshuffle |title=Nine cabinet ministers dropped in Fiji cabinet reshuffle |publisher=RNZ |date=5 January 2008 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/2008-Cabinet-Reshuffle-Announced-s59r2k |title=2008 Cabinet Reshuffle Announced |publisher=Fiji Village |date=4 January 2008 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref>
Bune was later a founding member of the People's Democratic Party,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2013/06/29/new-leaders-for-singh/ |title=New leaders for Singh |publisher=Fiji Sun |date=29 June 2013 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> and served as the party's interim general secretary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/PDP-registration-approved-rsk925 |title=PDP registration approved |publisher=Fiji Village |date=31 May 2013 |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> He stepped down once the party was registered, and was replaced by Sat Narayan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2013/07/11/former-policeman-is-pdps-new-secretary/ |title=Former policeman is PDP's new secretary |publisher=Fiji Sun |date= 11 July 2013|access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref>
==References== {{Wikiquote|Poseci Bune}} {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bune, Poseci}} Category:1946 births Category:2023 deaths Category:I-Taukei Fijian members of the House of Representatives (Fiji) Category:Fiji Labour Party politicians Category:Permanent representatives of Fiji to the United Nations Category:Christian Democratic Alliance (Fiji) politicians Category:Government ministers of Fiji Category:I-Taukei Fijian people Category:Politicians from Macuata Province Category:Deaths from prostate cancer in Fiji