Opposition Leader, Inia Seruiratu says any new constitutional framework must serve Fiji fairly and democratically for generations and should not be shaped around the interests of the government, opposition or institutions of today.
During the second reading of the Bill, the Opposition Leader did not state whether he supports or does not support the Constitution Amendment Bill.
Seruiratu says constitutional reviews provide an opportunity to change the direction of the country, but there must be a clear understanding of why change is necessary, what needs to change and the implications and benefits of those changes.
He says the process must be guided by good governance, including public participation, consensus, inclusivity, accountability and transparency.
Seruiratu stresses that the Bill is not an ordinary piece of legislation, as it proposes to repeal provisions of the 2013 Constitution, with the exception of Chapter 10, and replace them with a new constitutional framework contained in the schedule to the Bill.
He says this places an enormous responsibility on Parliament.
Seruiratu says governments come and go, Prime Ministers and Opposition Leaders change, political parties rise and fall, and every Member of Parliament will eventually leave public office, but a constitution is intended to endure beyond the political circumstances of the day.
He says Parliament must therefore consider whether the proposed constitutional system will serve Fiji fairly and democratically for generations to come.
The Opposition Leader also says constitutional legitimacy cannot simply be measured by whether consultations were held or submissions received.
He says there is an important distinction between consultation and genuine public ownership, and the key question is whether the final document sufficiently reflects the aspirations, concerns and expectations of the wider population.
Seruiratu says constitutional recognition must also go beyond words in a preamble, with institutions established under the Constitution giving every community confidence that they have a place, a voice and an equal stake in Fiji’s future.
He says constitutional reform should never become a contest where recognition of one community is perceived as coming at the expense of another.
Seruiratu also stressed the importance of retaining a common national identity.
He says the strength of a constitution cannot be measured only by the promises contained in its text, but also by whether the institutions it establishes are capable of upholding those promises when they come under pressure.
Debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill continues.
