FIJI’S proposed Constitution Amendment Bill is now on a clear path towards a possible public referendum, with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirming it will go through a joint parliamentary select committee before a crucial two-thirds vote.
Mr Rabuka told the media yesterday that Parliament had approved the suspension of Standing Orders to allow him, as Minister responsible for the Constitution, to move the Bill’s first reading.
He said MPs had also been given the required two days to prepare for debate on the second reading, scheduled for Friday.
“At the end of that debate there will be a vote on that second reading and that will be committed to a joint Select Committee of Parliament,” Mr Rabuka said.
The committee will then have 30 days to deliberate on the Bill before returning it to Parliament for the third reading.
Mr Rabuka said if the Bill secured the required two-thirds majority at the third reading, it would then be put to a public referendum.
“According to the Constitution they have to be given 30 days. The committee comes back at the end of 30 days for the third reading and if that is carried by two thirds majority in the House … then it will be put to the public referendum.”
He said some MPs argued the public should be consulted directly, while Government MPs maintained that elected representatives bring the people’s views into Parliament.
