Constitution (Amendment) Bill Defeated
A-G says Government will regroup, Minister for Justice expresses disappointment with vote outcome
Wednesday 12 March 2025 | 10:28
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka while addressing Parliament on March 11, 2025. The session of Parliament yesterday ended at 10:30pm. Photo: Parliament of Fiji
Attorney-General Graham Leung says Government will regroup and determine its next steps, following the defeat of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Hopes to proceed with the Bill were dashed last night when Parliament fell short by a single vote.
The Government was unable to secure the necessary 41 votes (75 per cent) from Members of Parliament to advance the amendment.
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As per Standing Order 93(l)(b), a supermajority of three-quarters of MPs is required for the Bill to move forward.
After more than 10 hours of intense debate, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 was ultimately defeated, with 40 votes in favour, 14 against, and one member not voting.
Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga expressed his disappointment with the outcome of the vote.
"We are disappointed because they can't see the way forward. We are not going outside of the constitution, we are complying with it," Mr Turaga said.
In his ruling, Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko clarified that because the Bill received only 40 votes in favour, not the required
41, "the Bill will not proceed and is defeated."
Mr Jitoko further explained that, according to Section 69(1) of the 2013 Constitution, three-quarters of MPs equals 41 members.
"Therefore, if 41 votes in favour are not achieved, the Bill shall not proceed," Mr Jitoko said.
"It ends here," he added.
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