The Constitution Amendment Bill will move to a referendum if it receives two thirds of Parliament’s support but will die with the current Parliament if rejected.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has made this clear as he acknowledges concerns that some members of the public may not have been heard during earlier consultations.
Rabuka made the comments during the Special Parliamentary Committee sitting at Tuva Primary School, where members of the public were given another opportunity to share their views on the proposed changes to Fiji’s Constitution.
He says the outcome of the parliamentary vote will determine the next step in the process, with approval allowing the Bill to proceed to a referendum.
However, if MPs vote against it, the Bill will remain there and die with the current Parliament.
He says Fiji’s desire to continue reviewing its Constitution will remain, and Members of Parliament are free to raise their concerns and propose amendments if they have enough support in the House.
Rabuka also points out that the Constitution provides for periodic reviews, allowing the country to revisit its constitutional arrangements in the future.
He says a review has already been carried out, with Attorney-General Sevuloni Valenitabua serving as the commissioner of the review commission.
Rabuka says the commission’s report was taken to Cabinet before being brought to Parliament, and the proposed Bill has gone through considerable scrutiny.
He says the committee has returned to conduct further consultations because there are concerns that some people may still feel their views were not heard during the earlier process.
Rabuka says the committee will first listen to the public’s submissions before proceeding with its usual committee processes and procedures.
Meanwhile, Mata ni Tikina of Malomalo, Emoni Rokomoce, says he has participated in the consultation process and has been informing the tikina about the proposed constitutional changes.
Rokomoce says they agree with the changes and the consultation process, adding that they are grateful that the Great Council of Chiefs is recognised as lawful.
He also says the people need the Constitution to be changed.
