Questions have been raised over Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu’s criticism of public participation in Fiji’s constitutional review process, with Lands and Mineral Resources Minister Filimoni Vosarogo claiming that Seruiratu was given an opportunity to appear before the Constitution Review Commission but failed to do so.
In a statement, Vosarogo says it is concerning for Seruiratu to lecture the public on the importance of participating in the constitutional review process when he allegedly did not utilise an opportunity provided to him to make a submission before the Commission.
The Opposition Leader had stated on social media that the level of public participation remains a legitimate concern, arguing that more than 99 per cent of Fijians did not directly participate in the review process.
Vosarogo is questioning his assertion, and says the process was a public consultation and not a referendum, and the Commission was established to receive submissions, consider the views presented and produce a report and draft Constitution containing its recommendations.
He says it was never expected that every Fijian would appear individually before the Commission.
Vosarogo says claims of inadequate transportation, access or resources can not reasonably be used to explain the lack of participation when Seruiratu had been allocated an opportunity to appear before the Commission.
He says Seruiratu should explain why he did not participate in the Commission’s process after being given an opportunity to do so before criticising the level of public engagement.
Of the 1,220 submissions referenced, Vosarogo said 388 were joint submissions made by communities, groups and organisations.
Vosarogo says counting each joint submission as representing only one individual resulted in a misleading picture of the level of public participation.
Vosarogo also stressed that the recommendations contained in the Commission’s report had not been adopted by Government or enacted into law.
He says the Constitution had not been changed simply because the Commission had submitted its report.
According to Vosarogo, the Prime Minister had committed to releasing the relevant documents publicly so Fijians could examine the proposals and take part in a broader national discussion.
He says Seruiratu himself had acknowledged that the release of the documents should lead to wider public discussion, and that he is fully resourced by Parliament to carry out the responsibilities of his office.
Vosarogo says the national conversation had already begun and that, when the constitutional process reaches the stage requiring the direct consent of Fijians, that consent would be sought through a referendum.
