The Special Select Committee reviewing the three Constitutional Amendment Bills will convene next month.

The committee consists of Tingika Elikana as chair, Tina Browne as deputy chair, and Tehani Brown, Tereapii Maki Kavana, Teariki Heather, Toanui Isamaela and Agnes Armstrong as members.

Parliament Select Committees secretary Margret Numanga says the public has shown interest in furnishing submissions, with responses expected soon.

The expressions of interest or EOI for submissions closes on January 31.

“The Committee’s first meeting will convene on Friday, 2^nd February 2024, after all written submissions have been received for the Committee’s consideration.”

Clerk of Parliament Tangata Vainerere clarifies that the Committee hasn’t begun public consultations on the three Constitutional Amendment Bills.

Vainerere explained that before engaging the public, the Committee will do its groundwork and set the scene for its key consultation work and the rest of the procedural requirements to fulfil its mandate.

The three Constitutional Amendment Bills were presented to Parliament in the last sitting of 2023. They were referred to a Special Select Committee for review and consideration.

In December 2023, Parliament invited expressions of interest from anyone or organisations to make submissions to the Committee in regards to the three Bills.

Constitution Amendment (No. 30) Bill proposes increasing the number of Cabinet Ministers from six to eight and removing the ability to appoint a Minister who is not a Member of Parliament.

Constitution Amendment (No. 32) Bill provides for the ability for MPs to hold a proxy vote for a fellow MP. In an earlier interview, Prime Minister Mark Brown said he considers this a critical Bill, enabling more Parliament sittings.

The Prime Minister had previously stated that this amendment would allow Parliament to continue its work, even in the absence of some members.

Amendment (No. 31) Bill will allow a new Parliament to commence its work after a general election without waiting for the outcome of any election petitions.

Brown had earlier clarified that this refers to Parliament sitting within 90 days of the general election.

If passed in Parliament, this amendment will repeal Article 29(2) and allow Parliament sitting to take place without having to wait for petitions to be concluded.