The Government says it will not recruit legislative drafters solely to fast-track the drafting of Bills, stressing that its priority is long-term capacity building, professional development and high-quality lawmaking.
While responding to a question from Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu on whether Government is considering hiring more legal drafters to speed up bill drafting, Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga said they will not do so, as rushing laws is dangerous and can result in unclear or unfair legislation.
Turaga says the drafting team has expanded from five to nine drafters since 2023, and Government is investing significantly in training and professional development.
He says two drafters recently completed policy training in Canberra, and nationwide legislative policy training for permanent secretaries and ministry officials is scheduled for next month.
Turaga adds that Government is also strengthening collaboration with regional and international drafting bodies, supporting staff attendance at Commonwealth drafting conferences and co-organising the first Pacific Legislative Drafting Conference, which brought together experts from across the region.
He says these initiatives reinforce Government’s focus on building drafting skills, improving the quality of legislation, and strengthening ministries’ ability to develop clear policy instructions—rather than rushing laws.
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