The Fiji Law Reform Commission, under the direction of Attorney General Graham Leung, has announced the commencement of a comprehensive review of the Information Act 2018, as well as the Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill 2025 and the Code of Conduct Bill 2025.
They say this undertaking seeks to enhance governmental transparency and accountability by evaluating existing laws against constitutional rights and international standards.
The Fiji Law Reform Commission says key objectives of the review include the Information Act 2018: Assessing alignment with constitutional rights to access information, proposed amendments to broaden its scope, and ensuring that the process for requesting information is streamlined and user-friendly.
They say the Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill 2025: Establishing clear objectives, reinforcing constitutional provisions, and considering the integration of existing ATC provisions under the Constitution into the new legislation.
The Commission says the Code of Conduct Bill 2025: Setting out standards of accountability for public office holders, enhancing ethical conduct and making declarations accessible to the public.
They say to facilitate public engagement, the Commission will receive submissions from January 28 to February 8, 2025, culminating in a virtual session on February 8.
The Commission says submissions can be made through the following methods on their online Portal: available on the FLRC website at www.flrc.gov.fj or emailed to them on fijilawreformc@gmail.com They say hand-delivered submissions: Fiji Law Reform Commission Office, Level 5 Civic Tower, Suva (located behind the Suva City Library)
The Commission says it can also be mailed to: Fiji Law Reform Commission, P.O. Box 2519, Government Buildings, Suva
They say all written submissions should specify the subject as "FLRC Governance Law Reform Project."
Public consultations will take place from January 28 to February 8, 2025, and will be held in various locations across Fiji, as follows: Labasa: February 3, 2025, 10 AM- 1 PM, Friendly North Inn (Bure) Savusavu: February 4, 2025, 9 AM- 12 PM, Hot Springs Hotel, Conference Room Lautoka: February 5, 2025, 9:30 AM- 12:30 PM, Ex Servicemen Hall (RSL Hall) Nadi: February 5, 2025, 3 PM - 6 PM, Nadi Civic Center Sigatoka: February 6, 2025, 10 AM- l PM, Sigatoka Town Council Chambers Suva: February 7, 2025, 9 AM- l PM, Level 9 Suvavou House
In addition, a virtual consultation session will be held on February 8, 2025, from 10 AM - 1 PM.
The hyperlink to join can be accessed directly through the Commission's website at www.flrc.gov.fj and on the Commission's Facebook page.
