Deputy Prime Minister and SODELPA member Viliame Gavoka says he has not decided whether he will support or oppose the Constitution Amendment Bill, stressing that MPs should wait until the final version is ready before making a decision.
While responding to questions from fijivillage News on whether he would vote against the Bill or for it following SODELPA's directive that all the 3 SODELPA MPs have to vote against the Bill and the Prime Minister’s comments that Cabinet ministers who vote against it could be removed from their ministerial positions, Gavoka says the process is still ongoing.
Gavoka, who is also a member of the Special Parliamentary Committee, says the process is about halfway through and it is too early for anyone to make a final decision.
He says MPs should wait until the Bill is ready for its third reading before deciding whether to support or oppose it.
Gavoka says too many people are jumping the gun, adding that he has been urging those involved in the process to allow it to be completed.
He says it is disappointing that some people are not taking the time to understand the process, as the Bill is still a work in progress.
Gavoka stresses that people should wait for the finished product before making up their minds.
When asked whether he was moving to the People's Alliance Party, Gavoka dismissed the speculation, saying people should stop speculating about his political future.
He says he believes the speculation is coming from some political parties and urges them to focus on their own politics and leave others alone.
The support of 36 MPs is needed in the final parliamentary vote to get the Bill to the national referendum.
The People's Alliance Party has 20 MPs, NFP has 4 MPs, SODELPA has 3 MPs, and the G11 led by Ioane Naivalurua has 11 independents.
The Opposition is made up of 15 independents.
Prime Minister Rabuka says the Government is now working with the 11 independent MPs who have joined the Government, as well as Opposition members, to build support for the proposed changes.
The third reading of the Constitution Bill will take place from 30th November to 4th December this year.
If the Bill gets two thirds support in parliament, then a national referendum is expected with the next general elections by February 6th 2027.
