G11: ‘Power back to people’

Group of 11 representative Tevita Vakalalabure says the Supreme Court opinion has returned power to the people and given Government a “fresh mandate” to take constitutional reform to voters.

Mr Vakalalabure said the court’s opinion to reduce the three-quarter majority requirement for constitutional amendments provided the clarity his group had been seeking.

“The power now is given back to the people and it is now up to the appropriate branch of Government to decide what they need to do, the cabinet and the politicians really, Parliament,” he said following the Supreme Court’s opinion.

The Group of 11, led by Ioane Naivalarua argued during the court hearing that the 2013 Constitution failed every test of legitimacy, citing no lawful origin, no constituent assembly, and no referendum or ratification.

Mr Vakalalabure said the court’s opinion provided Government with authority it previously lacked.

“I think it gives Government the fresh mandate it needs to take the constitution as it is with any amendment back to the people, which was missing from its inception,” he said.

The Group of 11 pushed for stability and legal clarity throughout the constitutional challenge, with Mr Vakalalabure noting they had achieved both objectives.

“We’ve got clarity on legality and I think it is back to Parliament on what they want to do with the opinion that has been given,” he said.

Mr Vakalalabure said the position taken by his group in advocating for constitutional review had been vindicated by the court’s decision.