OPPOSITION member of Parliament Premila Kumar has challenged the Coalition Government to explain the legal basis and consequences of its proposed new Constitution, warning that Fiji must not be pushed into a major constitutional overhaul on a rushed timetable.
The Opposition MP said the Constitution Review Commission report and Draft Constitution, tabled in Parliament on September 22, were presented for information and were not referred to a parliamentary committee.
“The Government must explain the legal basis, purpose and consequences of the proposed new Draft Constitution before Parliament proceeds with fundamental constitutional changes,” she said.
Ms Kumar questioned the proposed December 24 commencement date, saying it raised concerns about parliamentary oversight and the Government’s readiness for an exercise of such national importance.
“Is the Government rushing a process of historic importance?”
She said the 3873 participants recorded across 105 consultation venues and 1220 submissions showed consultations had taken place, but did not establish that Fijians had enough time and information to assess the proposed changes.
“Obviously constitutional reform should not be reduced to a race against a Government-imposed deadline.”
Ms Kumar called for the report and Draft Constitution to be referred to a dedicated cross-party parliamentary committee.
