The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment for November 27 in an appeal filed by former prime minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama over the calculation of his pension entitlements. The appeal hearing commenced today before Justices Pamela Andrew, Gus Andree Wiltens and Michael Buss.
Mr Bainimarama is challenging a September 24, 2025, High Court judgment by Justice Daniel Goundar, which dismissed his civil claim against the Government and the Attorney-General. His legal team, R. Patel Lawyers, argues that the High Court erred in finding that a temporary reduction in parliamentary salaries introduced in March 2020 remained effective beyond December 2020.
The appeal also challenges the finding that his pension should be calculated based on the salary he actually received rather than the salary payable at the time of his retirement. The grounds further argue that Justice Goundar failed to properly apply Section 80 of the Constitution, which restricts variations to parliamentary remuneration to an individual’s disadvantage. Mr Bainimarama is seeking payment of either $383,432.66 or $223,089.50 in pension shortfalls, depending on which retirement salary is used in the calculation, together with arrears, interest and costs.
