NATIONAL Federation Party president Parmod Chand has accused Fiji Labour party leader Mahendra Chaudhry of deliberately lying about the government’s cane payment top-up.
He said for too long, Mr Chaudhry had abused media freedom to “spread lies and misinformation that malign other political leaders and ministers in the Coalition Government”.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had announced last Wednesday that the Government was topping up the fourth or “wash-up” payment by $8.27 per tonne of cane, since the original amount was $1.20 per tonne.
The PM said this meant growers would receive $9.47 per tonne before Diwali, bringing the final cane price for last season to $101.13 per tonne.
“Yet a day later, Thursday, Chaudhry issued a statement saying the $1.20 per tonne top-up to the 4th payment was an insult to growers, going on to make other malicious claims,” Mr Chand said.
“The fact that this lie was posted on 9th October on the FLP Facebook page and as of last night was still there, shows Chaudhry deliberately lied.”
Mr Chand said cane growers had received record payments for the past three years — $91 in 2023, $105 last year, and more than $101 this season — all above the guaranteed price of $85 per tonne.
“From 2019 to 2022, growers were short-changed by almost $14 million under the former Fiji First government and paid less than the guaranteed price.
“But when the Coalition Government is working towards restoring dignity and justice to growers, Chaudhry starts spreading lies and falsehoods.”
Mr Chand said Mr Chaudhry’s multiple roles as Labour Party leader, general secretary, registered officer and National Farmers Union general secretary amounted to a conflict of interest and breached the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding & Disclosures) Act.
“As such, he has breached the Code of Conduct of the Political Parties Act by engaging in political malpractice and vilifying the Government and the sugar minister by deliberately spreading lies.”
“This disgraced politician will not derail the Coalition Government’s resolve to restore dignity and justice to our growers, which was crushed by the former government.
“This Government is dismantling enslavement of growers, which was started by Chaudhry as Finance and Sugar Minister in the post-coup Bainimarama regime.
“Under his stewardship, the elections of the Sugar Cane Growers were deferred because Chaudhry insisted on reforms in the industry. And the rest is history.
“It is clear that Chaudhry cannot digest the reality — growers receiving record payments for three consecutive years and return of confidence to the industry.”
Meanwhile, Mr Chaudhry said The Fiji Times should verify the figures with the Sugar Industry Tribunal, adding that of the $9.54 payment – $8.27 came from export earnings and only $1.20 was a government top-up.
“Mr Chand does not know what he is talking about. The Fiji Times should verify this with Mr Tim Brown of the Sugar Industry Tribunal.”
He said Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka was not receiving the right advice.
Mr Chaudhry also clarified that claims about him breaching the Code of Conduct of the Political Parties Act are also premature because it is “applicable only when the campaign period is in operation”.
