The Supreme Court of Fiji has directed Solicitor General Ropate Green to invite nine parties to consider participating as interveners in a legal matter regarding the interpretation and application of the nation’s constitutional amendment provisions, as sought by the Cabinet. The state is designated as the tenth party in this case.
This application, lodged through the Office of the Solicitor-General, refers specifically to Sections 159 and 160 of the Constitution, which detail the processes for amending the Constitution. These sections impose a stringent legal framework that has made constitutional reform significantly challenging.
Chief Justice Salesi Temo indicated that the coalition government parties, including those led by Inia Seruiratu and Ioane Naivalurua, as well as the Fiji Law Society, the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Unity Fiji Party, and the Fiji Labour Party, will be invited to contribute as interveners. Temo emphasized the importance of these parties, which he believes represent the voices of the people, in the proceedings.
The Solicitor General also inquired about the potential inclusion of the Great Council of Chiefs in the intervention, which the court declined, citing reasons for limiting the participant list.
Justice Temo remarked that the case will be heard by a six-member bench, with plans to invite a judge from Australia to join the proceedings. Green is expected to issue the invitations by June 6, ahead of the next mention of the case. Additionally, Green requested for the hearing to take place from August 18 to August 22, with a member of the King’s Counsel representing the state.
This development follows a broader discussion concerning Fiji’s constitutional reforms, which have been emphasized by both Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica. The high amendment threshold has raised questions about accessibility and the effectiveness of governance structures in representing the Fijian populace. The proactive steps taken by the government in seeking judicial clarification reflect a commitment to a transparent and inclusive approach to governance, which sets a hopeful path for potential reforms beneficial to all Fijians.
As discussions regarding constitutional reform continue, there is optimism that these developments might pave the way for a more adaptable and representative political landscape in Fiji, aligning governance with the contemporary needs and aspirations of its citizens.
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