Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the Coalition Government has delivered a “People’s Budget” for the 2024/2025 fiscal year — based on the many wins and concessions for the Fijian people.
In his budget response, Mr Rabuka said there had been many calls for a budget for the people.
He said every page of the new budget was devoted, in one form or another, to the people and overall welfare, betterment of families, improving services, defeating poverty, prosperity opportunities, protecting the environment and overcoming challenges.
Mr Rabuka said while some of the language was “officialese” in tone and statistics not easy to follow, the intent of the national budget was focused on how life in Fiji could be improved so the people attained as much happiness and prosperity as possible.
“The Government’s responsibility is to lay the platform and foundation for the people to build for themselves a healthy, happy and prosperous life,” Mr Rabuka said.
“As the adage goes; ‘You can take horses to the water, but you cannot make them drink’.
“A village in Nadroga asked the Alliance Government to assist them with some farming implements when they were adjusting from sugarcane to food crops farming.
“While presenting the implements, the late Dr Kuruisaqila asked the villagers; ‘Muju kua ga ni kerevia vua na viagwane na PM, na Jui Nayau, ma lama I lovonia, hamakinia, cavusia me qei vajubunia na kemutu tavioka! Ma…!’ (You should not ask the PM and the Tui Nayau to plant, clear and harvest your cassava).”
Mr Rabuka also outlined aspects of the national budget which were targeted at subsidising costs to the public and said the bare figures in the budget often hid the larger human impact.
He said the electricity subsidies initiative involved $10million, which was divided among 55,000 households. This amounted to about $181.80 per household.
“The benefits, therefore, will be widely felt. Similarly, the free water project for around 40,000 households will reach many individuals.
“The huge increase in the Social Welfare budget last year to $200m, continues in the new budget to bring relief to approximately 100,000 people.
“There are many other examples of financial support to make daily living a little easier for those in need.”
Mr Rabuka said the new National Development Plan (NDP) for charting Fiji’s way ahead for the next five years was officially “the People’s Plan”.
He said it would complement the budgets going forward and about 20,000 citizens took part in consultations before its drafting.
