Opposition G9 Ministers and Assistant Ministers to now vote for Govt – PM

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the Opposition Group of 9 Ministers and Assistant Ministers will now vote for the Government.

While responding to questions by fijivillage News during a press conference after the swearing in of these Ministers and Assistant Ministers, Rabuka confirms the two members of the Group of 9 who are not Ministers or Assistant Ministers will vote according to their political conscience.

He says their numbers in Parliament have increased to 38 today and they have 70 percent of the 55 votes in Parliament.

Rabuka says this leaves the group of 16 at the loyal Opposition with 30 percent or 16 votes.

Rabuka says the 38 votes that the Government now has in Parliament is still short of the 75 percent required by the Constitution for each amendment.

He says an additional 4 votes would be required for that purpose.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that the Assistant Minister for Health will be sworn in next two weeks.

Despite not meeting the 75 percent majority in Parliament, Rabuka says the review and the amendment of the 2013 Constitution is a key objective of the Government and they will continue to explore how to do this within the Constitution and they will listen to the views of the people.

Rabuka says they themselves have experienced the current provisions of the Constitution, and they agree that a review and consultations must be carried out to amend the Constitution so that it more accurately reflects the nation and people and how we want to be governed.

He says the Government will continue its efforts to ensure that there is a Constitution and laws that are more democratic, enable good governance, and that the voice of the people and the media are not suppressed.