MINISTER for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran says she will wait for the final version of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 before deciding how to vote, insisting her decision will be guided by her conscience and what is best for the country.
Ms Kiran, a member of the Coalition partner National Federation Party (NFP), made the comments despite the party having already issued directives that its members should vote against the third reading of the Bill.
She said whether she votes for or against, she was prepared to lose her ministerial position over her decision.
Aside from the NFP directive, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has warned that NFP and SODELPA ministers who vote against the Bill at its third reading would have to step down.
“I’ll lose my job in one month’s time anyway,” she said.
“If I vote against the Bill, I’ll lose my job and if I vote for the Bill, I’ll lose my job.
“So in one month’s time, I will not have a job in this row, and that’s perfectly fine.
“At the end of the day, I need to see when the Bill comes back, whether it protects the rights of majority and the minority, whether it works with the nation building, and I’ll make my decision then.”
She said she wanted to be certain her vote reflected her personal convictions.
“I have to make sure that I’m clear with my conscience in the way I thought.”
Ms Kiran maintained that she could not make a decision before the final version was presented to Parliament.
“We can’t because until we see the final Bill.”
