Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka praised the National Federation Party (NFP) as Fiji’s oldest political party, underscoring its resilience and commitment to the nation. During his address at the NFP Annual Convention, Rabuka noted that the NFP has been instrumental in the country’s development for 61 years, from its leadership in the pre-independence period with A.D. Patel, to its role in the Legislative Council in the 1960s, and now within the Coalition Government under his guidance.
Rabuka expressed his trust in the NFP, particularly through its current leader, Professor Biman Prasad. He emphasized that this Coalition Government is unique, as it has been leading Fiji for over a year, highlighting that, much like family dynamics, coalitions naturally face challenges. He pointed out that the distinguishing factor among leaders is their focus and determination.
The Prime Minister reflected on his bond with the NFP, which deepened through his friendship with the late Party Leader, Mr. Justice Jai Ram Reddy, who passed away in August 2022. Rabuka recalled their collaboration on the historic 1997 Constitution, regarded as a significant achievement for Fiji.
He recounted how Justice Reddy’s impactful speech to the Great Council of Chiefs led to the unanimous enactment of the 1997 Constitution in Parliament, a process celebrated worldwide for its commitment to dialogue and consensus. However, Rabuka lamented that this constitution was abrogated on April 10, 2009, shortly after a court ruling mandated the restoration of democracy.
Contrasting the two constitutions, he noted that while the 1997 Constitution included a progressive Bill of Rights, the 2013 Constitution imposed restrictive limitations on human rights. He mentioned that the previous constitution protected group rights and de-politicized key independent offices, while the current structure, as noted by former Chief Justice Anthony Gates, restricts citizens’ direct access to their elected officials.
In conclusion, Rabuka asserted the necessity of reassessing the 2013 Constitution.