The Constitution Review Commission Report and Draft Constitution will now proceed through government and parliamentary processes following the completion of the Commission’s mandate.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is expected to table the Report in Cabinet for deliberation before it proceeds to Parliament in accordance with the Constitution and relevant government processes.

Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga has clarified that the formal submission of the Report does not mean its recommendations or the Draft Constitution have been adopted or approved by government.

“The Report represents the independent work of the Constitutional Review Commission following an extensive nationwide consultation process. It must now go through the appropriate government processes before any further decisions are made,” Turaga said.

The clarification follows the formal submission of the Report and Draft Constitution by CRC Chairperson Sevuloni Valenitabua to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu at State House today.

The President subsequently presented a copy of the Report to Prime Minister Rabuka.

Turaga also confirmed that the Report cannot be released publicly at this stage and will be made available in due course after Cabinet deliberation and completion of the appropriate processes.

He urged the public and stakeholders to avoid speculation about the contents of the report or its possible outcomes until it has been properly considered.

Turaga acknowledged the work of the Commissioners and Commission Secretariat, as well as constitutional and legislative experts Professor Anthony Regan, Dr Kathrene Le Roy and Fiona Leonard, who supported the review.

Government says further information on the Report and the next steps will be provided in due course.