THE Government’s proposed constitutional amendments faced fresh resistance at the Fiji Media Association organised Town Hall, with Coalition partners confirming they will not support the Bill in its current form, citing concerns over consultation, timing and key provisions.
Member of Parliament Professor Biman Prasad said the National Federation Party had consistently opposed what it considered a rushed consultation and implementation process.
He confirmed he had written to the Prime Minister outlining the party’s concerns and proposals, with its position on parliamentary voting to be announced at a press conference today.
SODELPA leader Aseri Radrodro said his party had also rejected the Bill following consultations and a special general meeting. He identified a number of clauses as requiring clarification and confirmed that proposals would be submitted to the Prime Minister.
Mr Radrodro also questioned whether communities had been adequately informed, saying the Bill needed translation into iTaukei, Hindi and Rotuman.
Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica defended the Government’s timeline, saying people had been calling for changes to the 2013 Constitution for more than a decade.
He said constitutional requirements had been met and approximately 75 per cent of the Constitutional Review Commission’s recommendations had been incorporated.
He said the remaining recommendations were carefully considered, insisting the changes were deliberate.
Mr Kamikamica challenged critics to let voters decide through the referendum.
