THE Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is set to be removed under Fiji’s proposed new Constitution.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill proposes a major change to Fiji’s anti-corruption framework, with the FICAC Act 2007 set to be repealed.
The proposed Constitution, contained in Bill No. 32 of 2026, does not establish FICAC as a constitutional institution and its transitional provisions specifically provide for the repeal of the FICAC Act 2007.
Instead, the proposed framework reintroduces the Ombudsman as part of a wider system of independent institutions and offices.
The Bill provides for an Ombudsman under Chapter 12, alongside provisions covering independent commissions, constitutional offices, access to information and whistleblower protection.
The proposed Constitution would also establish an Independent Legal Services Commission, a Director of Public Prosecutions and other institutions under its judiciary and governance chapters.
The change comes as the Bill seeks to replace most of the 2013 Constitution with a new Constitution of the Republic of Fiji 2026.
The Bill states that all provisions of the 2013 Constitution, except Chapter 10 on revenue, expenditure and accountability, would be repealed and replaced by provisions contained in its schedule.
The proposed Constitution includes 16 chapters covering the State, Bill of Rights, Parliament, Executive, Judiciary, State services, the Bose Levu Vakaturaga, Rotuma, public finance, accountability, immunity and constitutional amendment.
It also establishes a framework for independent commissions, including provisions requiring freedom from direction and control, adequate State funding and control over their own budgets.
The Bill is scheduled to come into force on March 31, 2028, if enacted.
