Fast-tracking Bills would create poorly drafted laws: Acting A-G

Fiji’s legal reform programme is being slowed by a shortage of specialised legislative drafters, Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga told Parliament yesterday.

He warned that attempts to fast-track Bills could damage the country’s entire law-making process.

Mr Turaga was responding to an oral question from Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu, who asked whether Government was considering new recruitment to help accelerate Bill drafting.

Mr Turaga stressed that rushing legislative drafting would undermine good governance, accuracy and the rule of law.

“I must stress here that it is not a wise, illegal or practical exercise for Government to be engaging legislative drafters to fast-track the drafting of Bills,” he said.

“Fast-tracking the drafting of Bills will lead to poorly drafted laws that are often ambiguous, inconsistent with existing laws, contain loopholes, creating uncertainty and unintended consequences, implementation failure, and extensive litigation.”

He warned that such an approach would directly compromise the State’s governance duties.

“Fast-tracking the drafting of bills directly challenges the principles of good governance, such as participation through consultation, transparency and accountability, and the rule of law. And ethical considerations, such as duty of care, are also important. Justice, fairness and procedural justice.”

He reiterated the fundamental role legislative drafters play in converting government policy into coherent law.

“A legislative drafter is a technical bridge who translates policy ideas or concepts into precise and forcible legal language, bridging the gap between political intention and practical, actionable law,” he said.

“Legislative drafters are indispensable. They are not partitioned technical experts. Without them, the legal systems would quickly become chaotic, contradictory, and just mess.”

Exceptions only in genuine emergencies

Mr Turaga said only exceptional situations justify expedited drafting.

“There can be justifiable exceptions, Mr Speaker, for genuine emergencies, where the need for immediate action outweighs the risk of rush process. However, it should be done with transparency.”

He emphasised that the Coalition Government prioritises accuracy over speed.

“This Government's approach is efficient deliberation and not rush-drafting. We prioritise in getting the law right over getting it fast.”

“Well-drafted Bills allow for effective parliamentary debate and public understanding of new laws that affect their lives, fostering trust in their Government.”

Strengthening capacity, not rushing work

Mr Turaga said the real question should not be about fast-tracking Bills, but about properly supporting the drafters Fiji already has.

“A question that we should really ask… is whether the Government is considering investing into and strengthening the capacity and resource of our legislative drafters so that they are able to overcome the immense challenges and workload whilst meeting the goals and competing political priorities of Government.”

He said Government is acting to strengthen capacity.

“Government has considered this… and we have put this into action.”

In February 2025, two legislative drafters attended policy training in Canberra before returning to deliver training to ministries “in understanding their policies, the legislative process, and bridging the gap between policy and legislation.”

Next month, the Attorney-General’s Office will host legislation policy training for Permanent Secretaries, policy and technical officers and members of the Cabinet Subcommittee on Legislation, aimed at ensuring ministries provide “clear and approved drafting instructions that correctly reflect their policy intent.”

Mr Turaga acknowledged that Fiji needs more legislative drafters due to “the increase in the number of Ministries and shifting priorities.”

He said retention was also a challenge.

“There is also a need, through Government support, to ensure our legislative drafters are well resourced and provide a salary that commensurate with the specialised level of work and skills.”

He said Government remains committed to investing in drafting capacity, aligned with the Fiji National Development Plan 2025–2029 and Vision 2050.

“We will continue to encourage, support and invest in resource strengthening and capacity building for our legislative drafters.”

He also acknowledged senior drafter figures including Justice Alipate Qetaki, the late Rupeni Nawaqakuta, and the Secretary-General to Parliament, who served as a drafter in the 1990s.