Labour Party Opposes Constitutional Amendment Bill

The Fiji Labour Party has strongly opposed the Constitution Amendment Bill tabled in Parliament, which seeks to lower the threshold for amending the Constitution from 75% to 66% of parliamentary support.

Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has called on Members of Parliament not to support the Bill without first being informed of the specific constitutional provisions the Rabuka-led Coalition Government seeks to amend.

"This is NOT acceptable. The 1997 Constitution required 75% support of MPs for any alterations," said Mr. Chaudhry.

The proposed Bill also seeks to revoke the requirement for a referendum, which currently mandates that three-quarters of all registered voters in Fiji must support any constitutional amendment before it receives Presidential assent.

“There is apprehension that the Rabuka Coalition wants to amend the existing guarantees of equal citizenship to all Fijians and the provisions relating to Fiji being a secular state – Sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution,” Mr. Chaudhry stated.

“These two issues are fundamental to our citizens, particularly those belonging to the minority communities.”

While acknowledging that there are provisions in the 2013 Constitution that require review to align with principles of good and non-discriminatory governance, Mr. Chaudhry emphasized that any changes must be conducted transparently.

“The entire process must be conducted in a transparent manner, disclosing fully the nature, the objects, and the reasons behind them,” he added.

Labour has also raised concerns regarding the voting outcome in Parliament. The First Reading of the Bill did not meet the required 75% threshold of all Members of Parliament.

Parliamentary records show that 41 out of 55 MPs voted for the Bill, equating to 74.54%, falling just short of the required 42 votes.

"We submit that the support of at least 42 members is necessary to pass the Bill," said Mr. Chaudhry.

The Labour Party has vowed to continue opposing the amendment and has called for greater national consensus on any constitutional changes