PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has ruled out extending public consultations on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, saying the process must be completed within the timeframe permitted under the Constitution.
Mr Rabuka said Government was working towards passing the Bill before the next general election, as it had been introduced during the current parliamentary term.
He said failure to pass the proposed amendments before the end of the current Parliament would require the Bill to be introduced again as new legislation.
“We have to remain within the allowable time frame as per the Constitution,” Mr Rabuka said.
“There will be no extension.”
Mr Rabuka maintained that the Government was not rushing the process but was mindful of the time available to complete the consultations and legislative process.
He said the public hearings had given Fijians an opportunity to raise concerns and propose changes to the 2013 Constitution, noting that many of the issues being discussed had been considered since the Constitution came into force.
However, calls for more time have emerged, with participants arguing that an extended consultation period could allow more Fijians to contribute to the proposed constitutional changes.
At the second public consultation in Nausori on Thursday, political youth activist Ann-Marie Raduva urged the Government to consider extending the process to ensure broader public participation.
Ms Raduva said her generation had grown up under the 2013 Constitution and was now facing the prospect of a referendum and constitutional review.
“Let’s take a moment to reflect on this, are we rushing with the Bill?” she said.
“I think this is a good time to use Fiji time to our side and take to the polls and to everyone in Fiji for everyone to have a say.”
