He also strongly supported the central government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, and refused to let Military teams tour Kadavu to campaign against the government's controversial Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill, which Nawalowalo strongly supported.
On 29 March 2006, Nawalowalo expressed interest in contesting the Kadavu Fijian Communal Constituency for the ruling Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Party (SDL), but ended up withdrawing in favour of the incumbent, Konisi Yabaki.
In the aftermath of the military takeover of 5 December 2006, Nawalowalo changed his views, and threw his support behind the new regime.
[1] This provoked an angry reaction from some of his fellow chiefs, who were reported by Fiji Television on 9 December as instructing him to refrain from making any further public statements without their approval.
[3] Nawalowalo co-chaired the task force focusing on economic growth within the National Council for Building a Better Fiji.