Wale urges gov’t to fast track review on Constituent Assembly Bill

Leader of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has urged the government to fast track the work on the Constituent Assembly Bill 2024 and bring it back to Parliament.

Speaking during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Hearing recently, Hon Wale told officials from the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (OPMC) this matter must be a priority for the government.

Hon Wale said this matter needed to be discussed and agreed outside of Parliament at the political level before coming to Parliament.

The Opposition Leader acknowledged the current approach taken by the government to establish a bi partisan taskforce inclusive of the independent and opposition offices at the official level.

However, he said as soon as there is some clarity on the officials level it must be brought to the political level to be workshopped.

“This bi partisan approach must also continue at the political level by both sides of the House to have a more conciliatory approach to it,” he said.

Hon Wale said most of the issues within the Bill could have been fixed if it wasn’t for too much politicking.

“We all agree that this matter needs to be brought to a conclusion and that is why it is important that leaders workshop it and agree on how it should proceed before taking it to Parliament so that it is not contested as it was last year,” he told the PAC Hearing.

The Opposition Leader said this must be done soon.

Chairman of PAC Hon Gordon Darcy Lilo also shared similar sentiments stating that this is a matter that must be brought to a conclusion to bring some understanding and clarity to our citizens.

OPMC acknowledged the issues raised by members of the PAC, stating that work on the review of the Bill is progressing well.

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Opposition office statement