Fijian politicians on Thursday welcomed the announcement of the free meetings allowance by the government which paves the way for the ongoing new constitution consultations before the 2014 general elections.

The government of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has stated that the free meetings allowance was long overdue, which basically means that public meetings will no longer require permits in Fiji.

Opposition Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry welcomes the move by saying that this will allow them to carry out their meetings.

"It should have come a long time ago. In fact it should have never been there, but we are glad the restrictions have been removed. It clears the way for organizations and other political parties to meet with their constituent," Chaudhry told media on Thursday.

National Federation Party Secretary Parmod Rae said the government should use this momentum to remove other restrictions and allow the people of the country to speak freely.

"The National Federation Party welcomes the announcement. We think it's a positive move. We congratulate the government on taking this liberal view."

According to the government announcement on the suspension of Section 8 of the amended Public Order Act, permits will only be needed for meetings on public roads, public parks or gardens and in sports arenas.

Citizens' Constitutional Forum (CCF) CEO Reverend Akuila Yabaki urged that the suspension of Section 8 of the amended Public Order Act must be seen for what it really is an initial step towards the removal of restrictions on the freedom of expression placed on all Fijians.

"Critical to this process is the opportunity for Fijians to be able to speak freely about their aspirations and dreams and their fears and frustrations about past, present and future governments, "Yabaki said.

"If the discussions on the constitutional process are to be transparent and in order that all people may be apprized of the views of others, the media must also be permitted to provide unfettered coverage of discussions, views and consultations," he said.

The Fijian government has made two new decrees to govern the making of Fiji's new constitution this week, which provide for the establishment and work of the Constitutional Commission and the Constituent Assembly as well as a five-member tribunal which will scrutinize the constitution before it is adopted by President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

Included is a provision that suspends the need for permits for meetings unless the meetings are on public roads, or in public parks, gardens or sports arenas.

This move was announced by Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, saying "Anyone can go have a meeting without applying for a permit except if the meeting will be on a public road, park, garden or sporting arena."

He cautioned that while people are now free to meet without a permit, this does not mean that meetings can be used as an opportunity to create disorder or to breach the peace in the island nation.

The two decrees provide for ways in which the new Constitutional Commission and Constituent Assembly would do their work. After full public participation, the commission will submit a draft constitution to the president who will then present it to the Constituent Assembly for consideration.

There will also be a five-member tribunal to be appointed by the Chief Justice which will scrutinize the constitution for conformity with the non-negotiable principles announced by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in March this year as well as the other requirements of the decrees.

Fiji is in preparations for the 2014 elections which has been repeatedly promised by the current Bainimarama military regime who took power during the 2006 coup.

The island nation has been suspended from the Australia and New Zealand-led Pacific Island Forum since 2009 after the then constitution was abrogated and elections were not held that year, while the two regional powers have also imposed sanctions on the Bainimarama regime to pressure it to hold a democratic election and return power to an elected civil administration.