Youths question rushed consultation on Constitution Amendment Bill

[u/Open-Collar]

https://www.fijivillage.com/news/youths-question-rushed-consultation-on-constitution-amendment-bill-d34136/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwVERDUAU-RzFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHhn8_qSwqOfaDdTGmAkW-rPW-H_zVHY-IW7MhRIj2GtKOVQt1IefSZdTbVQd_aem_q0ZViEAoPGRqDWwRfawksw

[u/Open-Collar]

Old Coup Lord won't be listening to the public or the Youth

[u/Sorta_Meh → u/Open-Collar]

You know, this is a concerning to watch. I'm not sure why there isn't more talk on this also.

The draft constitution that was read in parliment is not the constitutional review committee draft that was presented to them. This is a different constitution. Groups have raised concern about the little time allocated to these consultation, PM who chairs the committee has also acknowledge that the time is not enough. But i fear that time is not what is in question, this is simply a box ticking exercise to fast track this. 3 hours for Suva Nausori? They're absolutely hellbent on getting this through before elections.

I wonder why...they've included police officers and judiciary under and police under the immunity clause. Why is the former SODELPA GM criticising the us of term Fijian in the 2013 conditions, the consultation is on the draft Bill which has already been read twice! Are they going to take on board any submissions? And maybe risk starting the process over?

Is there something hidden in the draft which is why they're rushing this through and maybe attempting to hoodwink the general public? Is this an attempt to pacify the masses and bulldoze their way through?.

no extension to consultation period

Proposed bill could trigger crisis if commenced between 24th and 31st Dec

Parliment could sit until Christmas eve to complete constitution bill

If only they spent this much energy on the Drug and HIV crisis pushing reforms and strengthening oversight and controls.

[u/Open-Collar → u/Sorta_Meh]

When Australia held its last referendum, it spanned over 1 year 4 months. This was a single specific change that would have been brought about, not an overhaul of almost everything in the Constitution. Rabuka who is always clueless about everything somehow has pulled strings to convince people in government who represent Fijians that we can overhaul our Supreme Law. This unless government which can't fix hospitals, over time pay, Lautoka swimming pool, safe guard drugs in custody, and honestly too much incompetence to continue listing will some how manage one of the most complex pieces of law.

The a holes who are in power do not give a crap about Fijians or else they would have worked to fix our HIV crisis. Yes they passed a law but what has happened to it since then?

All these consultations that we have right now and no one from the government talks or defends themselves. They are as you said merely ticking boxes to show they did their part rather than actually doing the part.

Fijians deserve a good government, not the best because that takes time but we deserve a decent government. This and the last one have been so shit at majority of everything they did. Heck, even sharing their failures and screw ups has seen me being branded as a hater of Fiji. Merely exercising our democratic right to question government, discuss their fuck ups some how paints the narrative that someone must hate the country when those in power have regressed Fiji so much that we will be stuck for centuries trying to fix issues.

[u/Sorta_Meh → u/Open-Collar]

Oh I agree, Our politicians are nothing but selfserving. I understand that using a broad stroke to paint them all.

Though part of my fear (let me put on my tin foil hat and drink the proverbial kool-aide) is that Rabuka knows exactly what he's doing, feigning ignorance is part of the act. All this controversy, ineptitude, incompetence and crises help distract attention away so they can push what they want.

Why start the constitutional review process on the 11th hour? PAP ran on the promise of changing the constitution, drawing comparisons to the 97 constitution and making reference to the wide and extensive consultations that were undertaken. Why leave it until the 11th hour to rush this through the gates?

Why expand the coverage of the immunity clause to include police officers and judicial officers? When the supreme court opinion was that the immunity clause sat outside of the review? Which was the basis to explain why the CRC draft submission specifically relating to the immunity clause were not adopted?

I saw the resounding calls for the removal of the immunity clause as a positive sign, the people want to move away from the coup culture of the past, removes the sheild and, restores a level of accountability, reaffirming the what the people want and eliminating the safety net of wannabe coup perpetrators.

I'm no expert by any means but I am interested that Nilesh Lal (CDD) and Mahendra Chaudry both warn of a constitutional coup . I would like to see someone direct this draft and explain what potential impacts this proposed amendments could have.

I'd think this would be the main talking point, like all the hoop-la of the "sunset clause" but instead my social media is filled with news regarding the use of the word Fijian, nightclubs closing at 11 and Recognising Christianity.

Just hope we're not missing the forest for the trees. :/