Public consultations and submissions on three key pieces of legislation in Fiji, including the Information Act 2018, will take place over the next two weeks.
Coordinated by the Fiji Law Reform Commission, the consultations aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and ethical standards within the country’s governance framework. They are scheduled to run through February 8, with online submissions starting today.
In a statement, the Commission indicated that the review aims to align these laws—including the Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill 2025 and the Code of Conduct Bill 2025—with constitutional rights and international standards. This review marks a significant step in Attorney General Graham Leung’s plan to introduce the new bills in Parliament by March this year.
The Information Act 2018 will be reviewed to streamline public access to information and expand its scope. The ATC Bill seeks to clarify oversight objectives and integrate existing constitutional provisions, while the Code of Conduct Bill 2025 will establish standards for public officeholders and ensure their declarations are accessible to the public.
This follows a workshop held in mid-December last year on the Right to Information, Accountability & Transparency Commission, attended by media representatives, civil society and NSA actors, development partners, academia, legal professionals, and political party representatives.
Submissions can be made via email or in person, with consultation sessions scheduled in the following locations:
- Labasa: February 3, 10am – 1pm, Friendly North Inn
- Savusavu: February 4, 9am – 12pm, Hot Springs Hotel
- Lautoka: February 5, 9:30am – 12:30pm, Ex-Servicemen Hall
- Nadi: February 5, 3pm – 6pm, Nadi Civic Centre
- Sigatoka: February 6, 10am – 1pm, Sigatoka Town Council Chambers
- Suva: February 7, 9am – 1pm, Level 9 Suvavou House
- Virtual Session: February 8, 10am – 1pm (Link via FLRC website and Facebook)
Submissions can also be emailed to fijilawreformc@gmail.com, or hand-delivered to the FLRC Office at Level 5, Civic Tower in Suva.
