Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leader Aseri Radrodro says the party will not abandon its principles or its opposition to the Constitution Amendment Bill simply to retain its place in the Coalition Government.
In a statement issued today, Mr Radrodro responded to recent media reports suggesting Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had indicated that Cabinet members who voted against Bill No. 32 would effectively be voting themselves out of Cabinet.
Mr Radrodro said SODELPA remained committed to the Coalition Government but that commitment should not be mistaken for unquestioning compliance.
“Our commitment to the Coalition Government must never be confused with unquestioning compliance, nor should our participation in Government be conditional upon abandoning the principles and responsibilities entrusted to us by the people,” he said.
He stressed that SODELPA remained a valued and productive member of the Coalition and intended to continue contributing to its work.
“However, we were elected to represent the people of Fiji, not simply to occupy Cabinet positions. Our first responsibility is to the people who placed their trust in us, and we will not lose sight of that responsibility.”
Mr Radrodro reiterated that SODELPA could not support Bill No. 32 in its current form, saying the party had formally communicated its concerns to the Prime Minister last week.
He maintained that the party’s position was based on the need for constitutional reform that was fair, inclusive and transparent.
“Disagreement is not disloyalty. Independent judgement is not insubordination. And responsible leadership must never be measured by unquestioning agreement,” he said.
Mr Radrodro said a Coalition Government was a partnership rather than a one-way arrangement and must operate on mutual respect and meaningful consultation.
“A Coalition Government is a partnership, not a one-way arrangement. It must be built on mutual respect, meaningful consultation and the recognition that Coalition partners are entitled to hold and express legitimate differences of opinion.”
He said he remained respectful of the Prime Minister and other Coalition partners but expected SODELPA’s position to receive due consideration.
Mr Radrodro called for constructive discussions to ensure Fiji’s constitutional future was determined through a fair, transparent and genuinely representative process.
“SODELPA remains committed to the Coalition, but our commitment to the people of Fiji is unwavering,” he said.
“We are in Government to serve, not merely to hold positions. We will continue to stand by our principles, honour our mandate and exercise the responsibility that the people of Fiji elected us to uphold.”
