GOVERNMENT’S planned withdrawal of the Access to Information Bill, Code of Conduct Bill and Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill never eventuated in Parliament yesterday.
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko informed members of the house that the second schedule which was the motion by the Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga to withdraw these three Bills, would not happen and instead skipped to adjournment.
Mr Turaga said the Government still plans to withdraw these Bills as the legislations are still a “work in progress”.
Mr Turaga said the decision followed discussions within the Government caucus as it manages a large legislative program.
He said governments often review and withdraw Bills during the legislative process and noted that similar steps had been taken by previous administrations.
“There are always very busy government priorities in terms of legislation programs and competing demands.
“We (his chambers) are currently working with several ministries to progress legislation and improve the pace of the Government’s law-making program.”
He added that a significant number of Bills were introduced last year and some remain under consideration by parliamentary committees.
“It’s still a work in progress and it’s not been finalised.
“So I think it’s premature to comment on the final shape it will become.”
Mr Turaga also stressed that the Bills remain part of the Government’s legislative agenda.
“This is not the first time. Previous governments have done it.
“It’s still within the Government’s legislative program, so we should not be making assumptions.”
Under the Standing Order 90, Withdrawal of Bills, the three Bills remain before the House because the motion to withdraw was never moved in Parliament.
These Bills are said to be among the most important for promoting transparency and good governance because they were designed to give citizens the right to access government information, set ethical standards for public officials, and establish an independent body to oversee and enforce accountability in public office.
Parliament is expected to reconvene on Monday, April 27, 2026.
