DESPITE gaining more numbers in Parliament, Government is still unable to reach the 75 per cent threshold needed to amend the 2013 Constitution.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told members of the media yesterday the People’s Coalition Government was established by the “power of one-vote”.
He said the inclusion of the Group of Nine (G9) in the Coalition brought their number in Parliament to 38.
“Today, your Government has almost 70 per cent of the 55 votes in Parliament,” he said.
“This leaves the Group of 16 as the ‘Loyal Opposition’ with 30 per cent or 16 votes. As a former Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, I am well aware of their important role in presenting alternate policies and in holding the executive Government accountable.
“However, the 38 votes that Government now has in Parliament is still short of the 75 per cent required to amend the Constitution.”
He said 42 votes were required to meet the “almost impossible” hurdle of a three-quarter or 75 per cent vote required by the Constitution for its amendment.
Mr Rabuka said an additional four votes would be required for this purpose.
“The review and amendment of the Constitution is a key objective of your Government, and we will continue to explore how to do this within the Constitution and the law, and in keeping with the principles of democracy and good governance.
“We listened to your views, and we have experienced for ourselves the current provisions of the Constitution and we agree that a review and consultations must be carried out to amend the Constitution so that it more accurately reflects our nation and people and how we want to be governed.”
Mr Rabuka said Government would continue its efforts to ensure Fiji had a constitution and laws that were more democratic, enabled good governance and ensured the voice of the people and the media were not suppressed.
“No one else will come and do our civic responsibility to be good citizens who participate in our governance, we must do it ourselves.”
