Parliament is set for a full week of deliberations starting today, with a packed order paper that includes critical questions on economic relief, housing initiatives, and teacher shortages.
The sitting will begin with the usual formalities, followed by the tabling of several key reports, including the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s 2024 Insurance Annual Report, the Fiji Development Bank’s 2024 Annual Report, and the 2022–2023 report from the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection.
A major focus will be on targeted fiscal measures to ease the burden on low-income households. Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj will ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister to explain what new interventions are planned for the remainder of the year, in light of ADB’s recent forecast of 3.0% GDP growth and 2.9% inflation.
Other oral questions will address pressing national issues from teacher shortages and the relocation of squatter settlements, to compensation processing reforms and retention strategies for health professionals.
Housing will also feature prominently, with questions on new initiatives by the Housing Authority aimed at improving affordability and accessibility.
The sugar industry’s labour shortage and plans to bring in foreign workers will also be scrutinised.
Three motions will be debated in the afternoon, including consolidated review reports on the Ministries of Lands, Rural Development, and the iTaukei Affairs Board.
A written question from Inosi Kuridrani will seek details on beneficiaries of the iTaukei Resource Owners Support and Development Fund, including criteria and pilot project outcomes.
The Parliament session begins at 9:30 a.m.
