15 Nov 2008

Work to resume on Fiji's People's Charter

6:31 pm on 15 November 2008

Fiji's interim Government has successfully acquired a court injunction that will allow work to resume on the People's Charter.

It was granted on Friday night by Justice John Byrnes.

It followed an earlier High Court injunction stopping the interim Government from carrying out all charter-related work or doing anything to alter the 1997 constitution or make changes to the electoral system.

That decision followed a complaint by the ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase.

The interim Government contends that the State cannot be injuncted, under section 15 of the State Proceedings Act.

It says the matter will now go before the Court of Appeal next week.

Military leader Frank Bainimarama has said his country will not return to democracy until the charter, which includes a blueprint for changing its voting system, has been accepted by the people.