THE Government has disclosed that it spent a total of $64,813.67 on sending the Prime Minister, five ministers, and one assistant minister to celebrate Fiji Day abroad this year.
The breakdown of costs was provided by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in response to a written parliamentary question posed by Premila Kumar, who sought transparency on the expenditure associated with the overseas celebrations.
According to the official reply, the highest individual expenditure was incurred by Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney-General Sironi Turaga, who cost the State $11,783.84. He was followed closely by Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya at $11,551.68, and Penioni Ravunawa, Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services, at $10,500.55.
Mr Rabuka’s own travel and participation costs were recorded at $8899.95 — the second-lowest among the seven officials listed.
Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru’s expense was $8583.93, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh $7165.72, and Women, Children and Social Protection Minister Sashi Kiran $6328.00.
Mr Singh was the chief guest in Geelong, Melbourne, while Ms Tabuya was in South Australia’s Limestone Coast region, where she joined Fijian and Pacific workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme to mark the occasion in Naracoorte.
Minister Kiran was in Auckland, the Acting AG in Wellington, New Zealand, and Mr Rabuka in Liverpool, Australia. Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa was also in Australia for Fiji Day celebrations.
