DOUBTS over Coalition partner, the National Federation Party’s, position on Fiji’s proposed new Constitution were put to rest in Parliament yesterday, with NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad declaring the party’s support for the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to proceed through parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation.
Prof Prasad stressed that the NFP’s support was not an endorsement of every provision in the draft, but support for a process that would allow the proposed Constitution to be examined, debated and improved.
He said the party supported the establishment of a special parliamentary committee to facilitate extensive consultation, negotiation and consideration of public submissions.
“We support moving this Bill into a genuine process of consultation and parliamentary scrutiny,” he said.
“We do so with a an expectation that the draft will be improved through the contributions of Members and the public.
“Our support for the process carries a responsibility to examine the substance honestly.”
Prof Prasad said the NFP’s position was also consistent with its previous commitments to constitutional reform, citing its 2014 and 2018 election manifestos and its 2022 vision document.
He said Fiji should use its democratic institutions to pursue constitutional change and ensure concerns raised by Indo-Fijians, other minority communities and the wider public were properly heard.
The Government has meanwhile proposed March 31, 2028 as the date the new Constitution would come into force.
Acting Attorney-General and Justice Minister Siromi Turaga told Parliament the proposed date would provide legal certainty during the transition from the 2013 Constitution.
Importantly, the next general election will still be conducted under the 2013 Constitution, regardless of whether the proposed new Constitution is approved.
The Parliament elected under that system would then automatically transition into the proposed House of Representatives when the new Constitution takes effect.
Mr Turaga said the Parliament would continue serving the remainder of its existing four-year term, with the first election under the new constitutional framework to follow.
