PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka unveiled a proposed sweeping overhaul of Fiji’s constitutional framework, promising stronger protections for human rights, customary land, the environment and communities, while restoring a bicameral Parliament and introducing major changes to the judiciary, public service and immunity provisions.
Presenting the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 for its second reading and debate in Parliament yesterday, Mr Rabuka said the proposed framework sought to balance individual freedoms with the rights and interests of Fiji’s diverse communities.
“Constitutional rights are not limited to individual freedoms alone,” he said.
“They also recognise the rights, interests and culture of land, environment, the identities and the identities of the communities that make up Fiji.”
Mr Rabuka said the Bill would require any limitation of fundamental rights to be lawful, reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society, while strengthening the State’s responsibility to respect, protect, promote and fulfil those rights.
He said the proposed framework would also recognise the right to a clean and healthy environment and provide for community consultation on major development and resource projects, including free, prior and informed consent in specified circumstances.
Mr Rabuka said customary land protections would extend to interests in the foreshore, seabed, reefs and riverbeds while recognising existing freehold land, leases and tenancies.
A major structural change would be the return of a bicameral Parliament comprising a House of Representatives and a Senate.
He said the Senate would provide “another level of consideration and review of legislation”.
The Bill also covered the judiciary, public service, Boselevu Vakaturaga, Rotuma, public finance, the code of conduct, immunity, constitutional amendments and transitional arrangements.
On immunity, Mr Rabuka said the Government would have to consider the Supreme Court’s ruling as it progressed towards promulgation of the new Constitution.
