Dear Editor – This is to let you in on some aspects of the draft federal constitution that may need greater consultation.
The government is fast tracking the passage of this. Once it is passed we had it.
Some areas that need revision impinge on our industry – the media and the role of the journalists, some impinge on our rights to be free from being subjected to ground rules that we do know about, like rules from ages past or rules from other countries.
Some of these rules or regulations are not just such, they are constitutions unto themselves and for our new constitution to recognise them is to subject us to other constitutions
Women and their course, in particular, will be shifted back to the 15th century and this means we are in trouble, because women are the first teachers and our children will be in trouble.
Women too are bread winners and all families throughout the country will be in trouble.
And those who now fight to reduce corruption in high places like the media and civil society are given no help, no protection at all in the proposed federal constitution.
The drafts as it is emphasizes the desire for greater regional, even local autonomy, but the provisions of the current constitution that permit corruption will largely remain under different guise. The media are largely whistle blowers, but are there provisions for their protection?
We will be having more governments, more discretionary powers, more corruption at the expense of the tax payer – the few struggling business houses, like the Solomon Star.
Let us do some awareness raising for our own good.
Maybe we can influence changes for the better before the new constitution is passed, most likely before Christmas.
Ok the federal draft constitution might be popular, which I too agree with, but it still like a fish with some dangerous bones in it that are dangerous for unsuspecting people like Solomon Islanders.
If you agree to give me some space in your newspaper I can do the columns. But you need to find sponsors for I will be asking for a fee.
You know we are now like a man who is making haste to put the loop around his neck.
The only person who will talk some sense into this man to prevent him hanging himself is you.
G West
Journalist
