The Constitution Review Commission has recommended establishing an independent National Planning Commission in the Constitution to oversee national development planning and monitor the Government’s implementation of development priorities.
The proposal is contained in the Commission’s recommendations relating to Chapters 7 and 8 of the 2013 Constitution, covering public finances and accountability.
Under the recommendation, the National Planning Commission would be responsible for formulating National Development Plans and preparing a whole-of-government monitoring and evaluation strategy.
It would also monitor the implementation of government programmes and produce annual whole-of-government monitoring and evaluation reports for the Prime Minister, Cabinet and Parliament.
The Commission proposes giving the body an independent advisory role in decisions involving nationally significant infrastructure investments.
This would include providing advice on infrastructure planning and the prioritisation of major projects.
Constitutionalising the commission would place its existence and core responsibilities within Fiji’s supreme law rather than leaving national planning solely within government administrative structures.
The proposal forms part of a broader package of accountability reforms recommended by the Commission.
It has also recommended retaining the existing constitutional provisions governing revenue and expenditure, the Auditor-General and the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
The Commission further proposes giving the Public Accounts Committee constitutional recognition and requiring it to be chaired by an Opposition member of the proposed House of Representatives.
The National Planning Commission proposal remains a recommendation of the Constitution Review Commission and would require constitutional change before taking effect.
