Kelera Ditaiki 
[Photo: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji/FACEBOOK PAGE]
The Vanua Ko Lau has expressed support for the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, urging Members of Parliament to pass the Bill so that proposed constitutional changes can be put to a national referendum.
In its submission to the Parliament Special Committee on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill in Suva this evening, Lau called for stronger protection of indigenous land and resources.
Chief of Lau representative, Nukuyasi Maca Tui Lakepa, says Vanua Ko Lau welcomes the restoration of the Senate, recognises Christianity among Fiji’s founding values, and endorses amendments to Clause 6 on ethnic identity.
Tui Lakepa says for the first time in our modern history the Bill returns to the people of Fiji the authority to approve the constitutional order under which they live.
“Of all of them, Clause 50 is the most important to the Vanua Ko Lau. If this Bill contained nothing else, we would still support it for that provision alone. Constitutions exist to place certain matters beyond ordinary politics. For us, land is one of them.”
Tui Lakepa also recommended that any future replacement of the Constitution be approved through a referendum, and that the Constitution undergo an independent review every 10 years.
Committee Chair and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the third reading vote in Parliament this week will determine whether the Bill proceeds to a referendum or is discontinued.
He says the presence of all Members of Parliament is important, particularly as some members and Ministers are expected to attend COP31 in Turkey.
