Constitutional amendment

Opposition Leader Ralph Regenvanu confirmed the Opposition will not attend the sitting.

He made the comment after the Opposition and several Government MPs did not attend the special sitting last Friday where the Government was going to table amendments to the Constitution.

RNZ Pacific reports Prime Minister Bob Loughman's government needs the support of 34 MPs out of 52 to make changes to the country's constitution.

The Government was hoping to debate and pass 16 amendments to the Constitution in the special sitting.  

Only 31 Members of Parliament on the Government side were present.

A majority of the 52 MPs is required in order for the government to pass the Bill for the Constitution (Eight) (Amendment) Act No. of 2022.

Nine MPs in the Opposition bloc boycotted Parliament today and nine RMC MPs were absent this morning.

Prime Minister Bob Loughman needs 39 MPs which is the required two-thirds under the Constitution to pass the Constitutional amendment in Parliament.