People's Alliance Deputy Leader Manoa Kamikamica says it is premature to talk about the collapse of the coalition Government over disagreements on the Constitution Amendment Bill, stressing that there is still time for dialogue and negotiations.
Kamikamica says the coalition partners have worked together for four years and have managed to resolve difficult issues during that time.
He acknowledges that the National Federation Party and SODELPA have raised concerns about the Bill, but believes discussions can still take place before any final decisions are made.
He says there is a lot of work happening behind the scenes and remains optimistic that an agreement can be reached.
Kamikamica also says the additional cost of extending public consultations and the parliamentary process would not be significant.
He estimates the extra cost could be up to $100,000, mainly covering transportation and allowances for Committee members.
He says the salaries of the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Committee members and Secretariat are already covered under existing budgets.
Kamikamica says if further consultations are held, travelling to different locations would be the main additional expense, along with other minor costs such as electricity and water.
On the Constitution Amendment Bill, Kamikamica describes the proposed changes as a decent document which aims to address iTaukei concerns while preserving the rights of minority communities.
He says the draft retains existing provisions, including the common name Fijian, equal citizenship, the Bill of Rights and protection of freehold land.
Kamikamica is also urging political leaders who are critical of the Bill to read the document carefully before making public statements.
He claims some leaders are making comments based on incorrect information and says the debate should be based on facts rather than what he describes as emotional arguments.
He refers to comments made about proposed maritime representation in the Senate, saying those recommendations came from the Constitution Review Commission and were not introduced by the Government to favour island communities.
Kamikamica says the Prime Minister remains open to listening to concerns and that dialogue with coalition partners and Opposition members is still possible.
He is encouraging political leaders with genuine concerns about specific provisions to meet the Prime Minister and the Committee during the remaining consultation period.
Kamikamica also rejects claims of a wider conspiracy behind the proposed changes, saying the Government's agenda is to remove what he describes as a Constitution imposed on the people of Fiji.
He says the Government has also removed a proposed review period for the common name Fijian, with the draft instead providing for everyone to continue being called Fijians.
