Minister Sakiasi Ditoka has questioned why SODELPA is opposing proposed constitutional changes that would return the responsibility of appointing Fiji’s President to the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs).
Mr Ditoka said the Constitution Amendment Bill currently before Parliament proposes removing the appointment of Fiji’s Head of State from Parliament and restoring that responsibility to the GCC, as was the arrangement under the 1997 Constitution.
“Under the 2013 Constitution, the President is appointed by Parliament. The Constitution Amendment Bill now before Parliament proposes to return that responsibility to the Bose Levu Vakaturaga, the Great Council of Chiefs, as was the arrangement under the 1997 Constitution,” he said.
“In other words, we are proposing to take the appointment of Fiji’s Head of State out of the hands of politicians in Parliament and restore that constitutional responsibility to the GCC.”
However, Mr Ditoka questioned SODELPA’s refusal to support the proposed amendments in their present form.
“And what has SODELPA done? It has once again declined to support the proposal in its present form!”
He said SODELPA general secretary Levi Vere needed to explain why the party was criticising the People’s Alliance Party (PAP) over the Presidency while opposing a Bill that would restore the GCC’s appointment powers.
“SODELPA is entitled to raise concerns about the wider constitutional amendments, but Mr Vere should explain how his accusations about the Presidency sit alongside his party’s current position on a Bill that would restore the GCC’s authority to appoint the President.”
