PARLIAMENT has deferred the tabling of the Special Parliamentary Committee’s report on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 to a later sitting, to allow further public consultations and additional time to complete its work.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka moved the motion yesterday, saying the extended timeframe would enable the committee to receive more public submissions and finalise its report.
“During the extended period we intend to listen to more submissions from the public,” he said.
He also moved for former deputy prime minister and National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad to be replaced by independent MP Sachida Nand, on the Special Parliamentary Committee.
Meanwhile, Mr Rabuka also expressed disappointment over the NFP’s decision not to participate in the deliberations of the committee.
“I have sadly taken that into account.”
He said the decision was a sad reflection of how far Fiji’s political cooperation had moved, particularly when compared with the negotiations that led to the adoption of the 1997 Constitution.
“Personally, for me, it’s a sad realisation of how far we have moved forward in our politics.”
He recalled how the NFP had partnered with the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT), which he led at the time, to develop the 1997 Constitution.
Mr Rabuka said the intention then was to produce a Constitution that genuinely represented the people of Fiji.
“During the extended period we intend to listen to more submissions from the public.”
Mr Rabuka urged Parliament to support the motion, saying the additional time would enable the committee to fulfil its mandate and present its report at a later sitting.
The motion was unanimously supported by all members of the Parliament.
