Unity Fiji calls for constitutional overhaul

Unity Fiji is pushing for significant reforms to Fiji's constitutional bodies, arguing the current structure undermines their independence. Party leader Savenaca Narube presented proposals to the Constitution Review Commission, calling for the Constitutional Officers Commission (COC) membership to return to independent private sector representatives.

Narube criticized the 2013 constitution for making the Prime Minister its chairman and the Attorney General a member of the COC. He stated this politicization has had negative consequences. Under the 1997 constitution, he recalled, all COC members were from the private sector, and he was appointed Governor by the commission.

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Under the 1997 constitution, COC members were all from the private sector. I know, because the COC appointed me, Governor. The 2013 constitution instead made the Prime Minister its chairman, and the Attorney General a member, politicizing the commission, with consequences that we have seen in the past few years.

Regarding the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), Narube expressed concern that its domination by judges and chairmanship by the Chief Justice risks the commission's independence. Unity Fiji proposes an independent process for appointing judges and the Chief Justice, with oversight from a chairperson from outside Fiji.

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He says this imposes risk to the independence of the JSC.