Fiji’s Minister for Public Works and Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, recently addressed Parliament, emphasizing the need to view constitutional debates within the broader context of the nation’s history. He highlighted the importance of moving beyond the substantial legacy of the 2013 Constitution, which he described as an imposed framework that aligns with a specific ideology.
Tuisawau outlined the evolution of Fiji’s constitutional developments, tracing their roots from the 1970 independence Constitution through various iterations in 1992, 1997, and the significant upheaval in 2000, culminating in the 2013 Constitution following the 2006 removal of the SDL government. He underscored that the coalition government’s current constitutional review, which includes the Referendum Bill, aims to correct the prior government’s ideologically driven policies.
He expressed concern that the previous administration’s approach centralized power and diminished cultural freedoms, particularly regarding the roles of indigenous traditions and institutions. Tuisawau cited the dismissal of the Great Council of Chiefs as emblematic of this ideology, arguing that it viewed cultural bodies as potential threats to the state’s authority.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of mutual respect and protection of culture, asserting that indigenous bodies like the Great Council of Chiefs and provincial councils do not seek to dominate the state or assert independence. Tuisawau criticized the former government’s decision to exclude ethnic data from the national Household Income and Expenditure Survey, claiming this undermined the reliability of statistical analysis. He noted that disregarding valid data distorts the reality of socio-economic conditions.
Responding to suggestions that acknowledging indigenous identity or traditional decision-making could lead to separatism, Tuisawau clarified that existing legal frameworks, such as prior and informed consent in land leasing and development, already exist to safeguard these processes. He reaffirmed that cultural expressions, including meke and various forms of traditional gatherings, remain integral to community life.
In summary, Tuisawau’s remarks signal a significant shift towards recognizing and valuing the contributions of indigenous institutions, aiming for a more inclusive governance structure that not only respects but actively incorporates traditional decision-making processes into the fabric of Fijian society.