Minister Lynda Tabuya has questioned the National Federation Party’s (NFP) and SODELPA’s decision to withdraw from the Constitution Amendment Bill process, saying political parties should allow the parliamentary committee to complete its work before drawing final positions.
In a social media post, Ms Tabuya said the Special Committee on the Constitution Amendment Bill was bipartisan, comprising Government and Opposition members, and was still considering public submissions.
She said there was still room for negotiation, compromise and agreement.
“Why draw final battle lines before the committee has completed its work and presented its report to Parliament?” she asked.
Ms Tabuya said the purpose of public consultation was to listen to people’s views and allow them to shape the outcome.
“Contentious proposals must be debated, differences worked through and common ground pursued,” she said.
She acknowledged that taking a position was every political party’s right but cautioned against treating that position as the end of the discussion.
“Treating that position as the end of the discussion undermines the very process established to resolve these issues,” she said.
Ms Tabuya also warned that premature declarations could put MPs in difficult positions and risk deepening public disillusionment, division and distrust.
“Our people expect us to sit at the table, talk through disagreements and find a way forward. They deserve representatives who can disagree firmly and still work together,” she said.
She urged parties to allow the Special Committee to complete its work, stressing that its mandate was still underway.
“Principles should guide how we negotiate. They should never become an excuse to stop listening,” she said.
Ms Tabuya questioned what confidence political leaders could give the public about their ability to unite the country if they could not manage disagreements within a bipartisan process.
“Leadership takes patience, judgment and the courage to compromise. Putting political pride ahead of that responsibility is political immaturity,” she said.
