The Social Empowerment and Education Programme is calling on the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights to explore all possible methods to simplify and promote awareness of the Code of Conduct Bill, the Access to Information Bill, and the Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill.
They say recent media coverage has reported a significant decline in participation since the consultation sessions commenced at Korovou Police Bure in Tailevu North.
SEEP says these three Bills are crucial for ensuring transparency and good governance within the parliamentary process.
They say for example, the Access to Information Bill, which includes the Information Act 2018, seeks to evaluate whether the minister's authority to exempt public agencies from disclosure should be revised, and whether the law should mandate that all information held by public agencies regardless of direct interest or the date of its existence be accessible under the Information Act.
SEEP is encouraging the Government to undertake a comprehensive consultative process that facilitates equal involvement of citizens and people's centred approach.
In addition to fulfilling citizens' expectations that their opinions will be taken into account, public participation can enhance collective intelligence, leading to improved analysis of potential impacts and a broader range of considerations throughout the legislative process, ultimately resulting in higher quality outcomes.
Questions have been sent to the Committee.
