Constitutional Offices Commission (Fiji)
 Suvavou House which houses the headquarters of the Commission | |
| Formation | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Type | Advisory body |
| Headquarters | Suvavou House, Suva |
| Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka | |
Key people | 6 members including the chairperson: |
The Constitutional Offices Commission is an advisory body that is responsible for providing advice to the President of Fiji for the appointment of key officials within public offices in Fiji.[1]
History
[edit]Established by the 1997 Constitution of Fiji, the Commission originally consisted of a chairperson and two other individuals, all appointed by the President on the advice of the responsible Minister.[2] When the 2013 Constitution of Fiji came into effect, the Commission was re-established but came with many changes including the Prime Minister being a member of the Commission and chairperson.[3][4]
On 17 April 2015, the Commission held its first meeting since the 2006 coup under the premiership of Frank Bainimarama. Bainimarama's appointee was Ajith Kodagoda. Other members of the meeting included Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Opposition Leader Teimumu Kepa and her appointee, lawyer Richard Naidu.[5]
Controversy
[edit]In November 2015, Ben Groenewald resigned as Police Commissioner citing military interference. Frank Bainimarama as chairperson of the Commission then advised President Epeli Nailatikau to appoint Sitiveni Qiliho who is a senior military officer.[6] Teimumu Kepa called on Bainimarama to revoke the appointment stating that it was "inappropriate" and raised concerns about the independence of the police.[7] Richard Naidu resigned from the Commission claiming the body was politicised.[8][9]
Functions
[edit]According to the 2013 Constitution of Fiji, the Commission is responsible to provide advice to the President in relation to the appointment of key public positions:[3]
- Chairperson and the members of the Fiji Human Rights Commission
- Chairperson and the members of the Electoral Commission
- Supervisor of Elections
- Secretary-General to Parliament
- Chairperson and the members of the Public Service Commission
- Commissioner of Police
- Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service
- Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
- Auditor-General
- Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
Members
[edit]The Commission is composed of six members:[4]
- Prime Minister of Fiji (Chairperson)
- Leader of the Opposition
- Attorney-General of Fiji
- Two individuals selected by the Prime Minister and one by the Opposition Leader.
Current members
[edit]The current members of the Commission are:[10]
- Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka
- Opposition Leader Frank Bainimarama
- Attorney-General Siromi Turaga
- Cema Bolabola (Government)
- Jon Apted (Government)
- Tupou Draunidalo (Opposition)
References
[edit]- ^ "Fiji government urged to set up key commission". RNZ. 3 April 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "1997 Constitution of Fiji" (PDF). Constitution Net. 21 August 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ a b "2013 Constitution of Fiji" (PDF). Fijian Government. p. 56. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2023 – via Constitute Project.
- ^ a b "2013 Constitution of Fiji" (PDF). Fijian Government. p. 55. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2023 – via Constitute Project.
- ^ "First meeting of Fiji's Constitutional Offices Commission held". RNZ. 17 April 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "Fiji Police Commissioner Groenewald resigns". RNZ. 10 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "Fiji PM urged to rescind Qiliho appointment". RNZ. 13 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "Fiji government defends appointment". RNZ. 16 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "Fiji's Qiliho appointment prompts Naidu resignation". RNZ. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ Fijivillage (6 January 2023). "Cema Bolabola and Tupou Draunidalo join Constitutional Offices Commission". www.fijivillage.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.