The Constitutional Review Special Select Committee will table its Interim Report on its consultation work on the three Constitutional Amendment Bills already completed in Rarotonga (Te-Au-O-Tonga, Puaikura and Takitumu), Aitutaki, Mangaia and Nga-Pu-Toru.

Select committee chair Tingika Elikana is expected to provide an interim update when the Parliament sits this afternoon.

Clerk of Parliament, Tangata Vainerere says the report will be discussed in Parliament with a view to gauge the views of the general public and consider any recommendations the select committee may wish to make to Parliament.

Vainerere confirmed that the report would not be made public until after it is tabled in Parliament.

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

The Constitution Amendment (No. 30) Bill proposes increasing the number of Cabinet Ministers and removing the ability to appoint a non-MP Minister. The Constitution Amendment (No. 32) Bill provides for the ability for MPs to hold a proxy vote for a fellow MP, and 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. 

Last month, the select committee conducted public consultations in Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke led by Leader of the Opposition, Tina Browne.

The Northern Group consultations have yet to be completed due to various factors, primarily transportation issues.

Vainerere said: “Two attempts have already been made to make this happen but the conditions didn’t present the ideal opportunity for the Committee to visit the Northern Group. Therefore, the Committee is most likely to complete those consultations after the upcoming sitting of Parliament.”

“There have been some exploratory inquiries on the possibility of holding the Northern Group consultations by Zoom but connectivity and equity issues have prevented that avenue from being pursued.”

Given the current situation, Vainerere said the Bills would be debated by the Members of Parliament in the House during the second reading debate and consideration in detail stage.

When asked if there will be a public referendum following MPs vote, Vainerere explained: “Currently, I have not received any advice/instructions from the Government (or determination by the Select Committee or resolution by Parliament) that a referendum is to be held on these three Bills.”

“Therefore, we are following the process of taking these three Bills through the House as prescribed by our Standing Order 208. Any mooting of a referendum on these Bills is ‘news to me’ and therefore ‘pure speculation’.”

Cook Islands News understands a two-thirds support in Parliament is required to amend the country’s Constitution.

Opposition leader Browne confirmed that Constitutional Amendment Bills would not be debated during this week’s session as consultation of these bills were still in progress.

“It will not be appropriate for me to comment on the bills while we are still consulting,” she added.

Niue recently held a constitutional referendum seeking support to four proposed amendments. The proposal to increase the number of ministers and extend the term length of the Niue Assembly were rejected. Niueans voted to rename the post of premier to prime minister and to identify the Auditor-General of New Zealand as the country’s official auditor.

Browne said: “Sadly the article does not give reasons why more than double the voters voted against increasing number of Ministers and increasing the term of Parliament.”

The Constitutional Review Special Select Committee also includes MPs Te-Hani Brown, Tereapii Maki Kavana, Teariki Heather, Toa Isamaela and Agnes Armstrong.