Former prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry has questioned the timing of the FijiFirst Government’s “sudden change of heart” and the subsequent provision of concessions and assistance in the Revised 2021-2022 National Budget.

The Fiji Labour Party leader said people of this country had been crying out for help over the past six years, in need of relief to counter rising costs of living through VAT exemption on essential items.

Mr Chaudhry said those concessions were long overdue.

He asked the Government’s motive in the sudden show of compassion for the peoples’ suffering, suggesting this was nothing short of a budget to “bait voters”.