Opposition MP Jone Usamate had questioned the size and cost of Fiji’s Cabinet, claiming a quick analysis shows Fijians pay far more for ministerial positions than citizens in many other countries.
Speaking in Parliament last week, he said comparisons with international figures revealed that in some nations, the public’s contribution per minister ranges from $0.13 to $1.15 per person.
In Fiji, he claimed, the cost was “100 to 200 times that amount.”
“This tells me maybe the calibre of Ministers here is such that they do not have the capacity to handle multiple portfolios, which is why we have so many,” he said.
Mr Usamate argued that smaller portfolios often left ministers with little to do, leading them to take on the work of Permanent Secretaries and Directors.
While congratulating the newly appointed Minister for Information, he suggested other capable individuals such as Assistant Minister for Information Aliki Bia or Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua could also have been considered for Cabinet roles.
He emphasised that his comments were aimed at governance issues, not personal criticism.
Mr Usamate called on the Ministry of Information to ensure transparency and honesty in government communications, urging it to share both successes and shortcomings with the public.