The Fijian government has initiated the legislative process to propose amendments to the 2013 Constitution. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka made this announcement yesterday outside the Centenary Church in Suva.
The Constitution of Fiji includes provisions for its amendment, with changes requiring parliamentary approval. To successfully amend the Constitution, a Bill must be passed with the support of at least three-quarters of Parliament members.
“The government is preparing legislation and will present a bill to Parliament to start this process,” Mr. Rabuka stated.
He addressed comments made by Professor Anthony James Regan, a Constitutional Law professor at the Australian National University, regarding the excessive concentration of power granted to the Prime Minister and Attorney-General in the 2013 Constitution. These remarks were made during a seminar hosted by Fiji National University’s Vice-Chancellor last Thursday in Suva.
Mr. Rabuka clarified that any exercise of power must go through Parliament. “I appreciate his insights, as they have opened many people’s eyes and reflect thoughts we have been considering,” he remarked.
He highlighted concerns over the legitimacy of the promulgation process of the 2013 Constitution, questioning whether the proper procedures were followed. He noted that the significant powers granted to the Prime Minister and Attorney-General under the current Constitution are uncommon.
The 2013 Constitution references the Prime Minister 111 times and the Attorney-General 66 times.