PM questions Commission’s impartiality

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday instructed the government to alter the terms of the Constitution Commission Decree which now requires the commission to publish the names and salaries of all its staff and consultants.

Questions have also been raised on the commission’s impartiality after the government discovered that Bau chief Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi was part of a delegation that made a submission to the commission in direct contravention of the non-negotiable principles while he was a paid consultant of the commission.

Commodore Bainimarama said the commission is in breach of provisions in the decree that stipulate that its staff and consultants must observe the non-negotiable principles and be politically neutral.

He said one of these principles is a secular state in line with democracies like the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Commodore Bainimarama said Ratu Joni was party to a submission by a delegation calling for the declaration of a Christian state in Fiji.

He also said Ratu Joni was a paid consultant to the commission from the beginning of October yet that had only become public knowledge last week.

The Prime Minister said he saw Ratu Joni’s contract for the first time which states that he started work with the commission on October 1st and his contract expired yesterday.

He is extremely disappointed to discover this and to find that Ratu Joni was being paid a daily rate as a consultant when he filed in with the delegation to argue the fundamental principles on October 12th.

Commodore Bainimarama said following this incident, it leaves open the perception, at the very least, that the commission has compromised its impartiality.

We have contacted the commission about these matters.

It is yet to respond.


Story by: Vijay Narayan