A Fijian Cabinet Minister says
no matter how she votes on the government’s constitutional
amendments she’ll lose her job.
The government’s
Constitution (Amendment) Bill, to
change the existing 2013 Constitution, passed its second
reading on 2 October.
Government coalition parties NFP
and SODELPA have now come out against the amendment bill, publicly
calling out the prime minister for fast-tracking the
process.
In response to the backlash and public
pressure, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has decided to delay
the bill from going to third reading for at least a
month.
NFP member Sashi Kiran, the Minister for
Women, Children and Social Protection, said to vote in
favour is to defy her party’s directive, and to vote against
is to defy the prime minister.
Rabuka said he’ll expel
any ministers from Cabinet who vote against the
bill.
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“Either way I will lose my job in a month’s
time,” she told Fiji Village.
“If we vote for
the bill the party will expel us and if we vote against the
bill the prime minister will let us go.
“Let’s look at
what the final bill is when it comes to the parliament
again; let’s also look at whether every community’s rights
are protected.
“It will have to be a conscience
vote.”
Kiran said she supported communities during the
2000 civil unrest and during Cyclone Amy and other
disasters.
“I’ve stood by my people. I’ve had the
opportunity for the last two decades – multiple visas – I
could leave the country anytime. I have chosen again and
again to be part of nation-building and to be with the
people who were in need.”
Rabuka has now said the
referendum and election will now be held at the same time in
order to save costs.
Fiji has yet to announce a date,
but the election deadline set by law is 6 February,
2027.
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