Following Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka's comments that cabinet ministers from SODELPA and the National Federation Party could be asked to leave their positions if they vote against the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill, SODELPA Leader and Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro stresses that they are elected to represent the people of Fiji, not simply to occupy cabinet positions.
Radrodro says disagreement is not disloyalty, independent judgement is not insubordination, and responsible leadership must never be measured by unquestioning agreement.
He says their commitment to the Coalition Government must never be confused with unquestioning compliance, nor should our participation in Government be conditional upon abandoning the principles and responsibilities entrusted to them by the people.
The SODELPA Leader says as far as he is concerned, SODELPA remains a valued and productive member of the Coalition Government, and they intend to continue contributing meaningfully to its work.
Radrodro says their first responsibility is to the people who placed their trust in them, and they will not lose sight of that responsibility.
He says SODELPA has made it abundantly clear why they cannot support Constitution Bill in its current form.
Radrodro says these concerns have been formally communicated to the Prime Minister in a letter submitted last week.
The SODELPA Leader says a Coalition Government is a partnership, not a one-way arrangement.
He says it must be built on mutual respect, meaningful consultation and the recognition that coalition partners are entitled to hold and express legitimate differences of opinion.
Radrodro says he remains respectful of the Prime Minister and the coalition partners however, that respect must be mutual, and SODELPA's position deserves to be heard and given due consideration.
The support of 36 MPs is needed in the final parliamentary vote to get the Bill to the national referendum.
The People's Alliance Party has 20 MPs, NFP has 4 MPs, SODELPA has 3 MPs, and the G11 led by Ioane Naivalurua has 11 independents.
The Opposition is made up of 15 independents.
Prime Minister Rabuka says the Government is now working with the 11 independent MPs who have joined the Government, as well as Opposition members, to build support for the proposed changes.
The third reading of the Constitution Bill will take place from 30th November to 4th December this year.
If the Bill gets two thirds support in parliament, then a national referendum is expected with the next general elections by February 6th 2027.
