Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed that six Cabinet ministers and one assistant minister were overseas during the Fiji Day celebrations as official guests at events for Fijian communities abroad.
He said the ministers’ participation in overseas Fiji Day celebrations reflected the Government’s recognition of Fijians living abroad and their contributions to the nation.
“They were invited to be ‘official guests’, they applied for release and I granted their requests,” Mr Rabuka said when asked about the ministers’ absence.
He said their travel, accommodation, and related expenses were paid from their respective ministries’ travel allocations.
Invitations from Fijian communities abroad, Mr Rabuka said, were considered on a case-by-case basis before approval.
“On invitation, I decide whether it was part of our duty.
“It does show our appreciation of their participation and contribution to Fiji’s economy and the social wellbeing of their families in Fiji.”
Responding to whether the trips were politically motivated ahead of the next general election, Mr Rabuka said the visits also served a practical purpose — providing government services to Fijians abroad.
“Many of them (in Sydney, for example) were attended to by civil servants on the ‘Road Show’ tour helping out with Immigration, FNPF, Fijian Elections Office, etc — issues, which were greatly appreciated.”
In Melbourne, Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh urged young Fijians to embrace leadership and innovation, while Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya celebrated with Pacific workers under the PALM Scheme in Naracoorte.
In New Zealand, Minister for Women Sashi Kiran commended the diaspora’s continued connection to home, and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga conveyed Prime Minister Rabuka’s greetings in Wellington.
Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka marked Fiji Day at the Fiji Embassy in Jerusalem during his visit for the Feast of Tabernacles, while the Prime Minister officiated in Liverpool, Australia, alongside Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu.
Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa also joined Fijians in Australia for the festivities.
