2013 Constitution needs to be reviewed —Prof. Prasad

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says the 2013 Constitution has been subject to widespread criticism.

Speaking during the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation organized State of the Economy Breakfast Talanoa, Professor Prasad says when they were in the Opposition, they constantly reminded people about the 2013 Constitution flaws.

He says the Cabinet had approved the review of the 2013 Constitution as it evolved through an illegal process, which was imposed on the people.

The Acting Prime Minister says the military government had its own decree, and unfortunately, they did not even follow their own laws in the formulation of the Constitution, including the convening of a constitutional assembly, where the final Constitution would have been approved by the people.

He says we need to understand that the Constitution has implications on everybody in almost every aspect of national governance and public policy.

He further says this is an opportunity for all stakeholders to be able to express their views and help the government formulate what a new Constitution should be.

Professor Prasad says the Constitution Amendment Bill will be tabled in the Parliament in the March sitting, and a Constitution Review Commission will be formed. The Acting Prime Minister says there are many provisions in the Constitution, such as the formulation of the Accountability and Transparency Commission, the Code of Conduct Bill, which has been languishing for the last eight years or ten years. He says they are now bringing that back to hold leaders to account and those in public offices.

Professor Prasad says people have been asking about what changes the government intends to bring about in the Constitution.

He says they don't want to dictate or impose what they want in the Constitution.

Meanwhile, he says the Employment Relations Act has been a controversial subject in the last few months.

He says before the union movement and workers' rights were suppressed for many years, and as a government, they firmly believe that through open dialogue between employers, employees and government, they can ensure a win-win situation for all.

Professor Prasad further says he agrees that perhaps some of the things in the Work Care Bill should not have gone out into public consultation. The Acting Prime Minister says they are not afraid of the noise as it's healthy in a democratic process, and they are not just thinking about the next election.

He assures that the final law that will be enacted will be in the interest of everyone.