Ministerial Statement Update on Work of the Constitution Review Commission

Salutations:

Honourable Speaker Sir,

Honourable Ministers,

Honourable Leader of Opposition

Honourable Members of Parliament,

Ladies and Gentlemen and those following our proceedings from home and abroad.

1. Honourable Speaker, I acknowledge, past and present, the Vanua of Nadonumai Vua na Gone Turaga na Tui Suva whose ancestral land is home to this distinguished institution with its rich history and traditions that form the foundation of our governance.
2. Honourable Speaker, Sir, the Constitution Review Commission sits at the centre of an important moment for our country. This is not just a formal process but a chance for ordinary Fijians, from every community and all walks of life, to have a say in the review of the supreme law.
3. For many, the Constitution can feel distant or technical. But at its core, it affects how we live, how we are represented, and how decisions are made about our future. The constitution is the system, and the system dictates the outcome.
4. This review process is about bringing that conversation closer to the people.
5. Honourable Speaker and Honourable Members of this August House, I rise to update this House on the work of the Constitution Review Commission, and in particular, the rollout of the Public Awareness and Civic Education Program, or the PACE Program.
6. If this process is to mean anything, people must first understand it.
7. They must know what the Constitution is, why it matters, and how they can take part. Without that understanding, participation becomes limited and voices that should be heard may be left out.
8. That is why the PACE Program is so important. It is about making sure that people are not asked to speak on something they do not fully understand. It gives them the space, the information, and the confidence to take part in a meaningful way.
9. Honourable Speaker, On 21 January 2025, Cabinet endorsed the establishment of the Constitution Review Commission. This was a deliberate and important step, reflecting the Government’s commitment to engage directly with the people of Fiji on the future of our constitutional arrangements.
10. It recognised that any meaningful review of the Constitution must be grounded in the voices of the people, and informed by open dialogue, broad consultation, and careful consideration of the issues that matter most to our nation.
11. Building on this, on 3 March 2026, Cabinet further endorsed a hybrid constitutional review framework. This framework sets out a clear and structured pathway for the review process, ensuring that it is both inclusive and guided by proper constitutional procedure.
12. Under this approach, the Constitution Review Commission serves as the first and most critical stage of the process. It is tasked with going out to the people, listening to their views, receiving written submissions, and facilitating discussions across the country. Based on these engagements, the Commission will then prepare a comprehensive report, together with a draft Constitution Bill that reflects the input received.
13. Honourable Speaker, this report and draft Bill will be submitted to His Excellency the President and to Cabinet for consideration. Cabinet will then refer the Commission’s report to Parliament for tabling, where it will be subject to the necessary constitutional processes in accordance with the law. This ensures that the review process is not only consultative, but also properly anchored within our legal and institutional framework.
14. Honourable Speaker, On 6 March 2026, Cabinet endorsed the individuals to be appointed to the Commission, recognising the importance of having a team that brings credibility, experience, and a diversity of perspectives to this national task. Accordingly, on 13 March 2026, His Excellency the President formally appointed the following Commissioners:

Chairperson

• Mr Sevuloni Ratumaiyale Valenitabua

Members

• Mr Ami Kohli
• Professor Unaisi Walu Nabobo Baba
• Dr John Charles Fatiaki
• Mr Conway Beg
• Dr Neelesh Gounder
• Ms Merewalesi Nailatikau

15. The Commission’s mandate is clear. It is required to conduct a consultative process involving the people of Fiji, including nationwide public consultations and the receipt of written submissions, so that any proposed constitutional reforms genuinely reflect the will, aspirations, and diversity of our nation.
16. Honourable Speaker, The success of any constitutional review does not rest solely on the establishment of a commission or the technical expertise of its members. It depends, fundamentally, on our people, their level of awareness, their understanding of the process, and their readiness to participate in a meaningful way.
17. For participation to be genuine, people must first be informed. They must understand what the Constitution is, what is being reviewed, and how their voices can shape the outcome.
18. Recognising this, the Government has supported the implementation of a Public Awareness and Civic Education Program, known as the PACE Program. This program is implemented by the Commission, with the assistance of the Office of the Attorney-General and the Fiji Law Reform Commission in collaboration with the Legal Aid Commission.
19. Honourable Speaker, I have also been advised that the Solicitor-General, Mr Ropate Green, is leading the implementation of the PACE Program and is part of the teams currently on the ground engaging directly with communities.
20. These teams are visiting various parts of the country, helping to lay the groundwork for the Constitution Review Commission’s consultations by raising awareness and ensuring that people are informed and prepared to participate.
21. The PACE Program commenced on 22 April 2026 and is scheduled to run over a two-week period as a preparatory initiative. I wish to highlight that the program does not replace consultation; rather, it strengthens the process by ensuring that when communities are invited to share their views and participate in the consultation, they do so with a clear understanding and the confidence to participate meaningfully.
22. Honourable Speaker, the PACE program is intended to:

(a) inform the public about the establishment, role, and independence of the Commission;

(b) explain the constitutional review process and upcoming consultation timelines;

(c) guide individuals and groups on how they may participate and prepare submissions; and

(d) encourage inclusive, nationwide engagement across all sectors of society.

23. This program is educational and informational, not advocacy‑ Its purpose is to equip the people with knowledge, not to influence outcomes.
24. Honourable Speaker, the PACE Program employs a media‑driven and community‑based approach to ensure maximum reach and accessibility. It recognises the varied realities of our people, including those in urban centres, rural villages, maritime communities, and our outer islands.
25. Key components include face‑to‑face engagements conducted between 20 April and 2 May 2026, with teams deployed across all provinces including Rotuma, and Rabi Island. These teams includes retired teachers, retired civil servants, practising lawyers, and translators trained specifically for this purpose.
26. Complementing these engagements is the distribution of the Commission’s guide titled “Our Constitution, Our Voice – A Guide to the Constitutional Review Process”, which was launched by the Commission on 15 April 2026. The guide is available in both printed and electronic formats and provides clear, accessible information for the public.
27. All information materials are produced in English, iTaukei, Hindi, and Rotuman, ensuring inclusivity, clarity, and cultural relevance.
28. Honourable Speaker, the Commission’s nationwide public consultations are scheduled to commence on 4 May 2026 and will run for approximately two months.
29. In advance of the nationwide consultations, the Commission has already begun targeted engagements with key national institutions. These include the Great Council of Chiefs, the Judiciary, faith-based organisations, civil society and various Government ministries and agencies to name a few.
30. The Commission recognises that the review process must be inclusive, participatory, and trusted, and affirms the vital role of the media and community networks in enabling meaningful consultations in line with its Terms of Reference.
31. These engagements are ongoing and form an important part of the Commission’s preparatory work, ensuring that key stakeholders are properly consulted and informed ahead of the wider public consultations.
32. Honourable Speaker, this constitutional review process is of profound national significance. The Government remains committed to ensuring that it is inclusive, transparent, fiscally responsible, and grounded in meaningful public participation.

CLOSING

33. In closing, I wish to extend my best wishes to all Members of Parliament. May our deliberations continue to strengthen democracy, unity and prosperity for the people of Fiji.

Honourable Speaker, Sir, I thank you.