The decision-making machinery to be adopted by the coalition Government will put in place checks and balances and ensure inclusiveness, coordination, consistency, transparency and accountability in decision making.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted this in a news conference yesterday.
He said Cabinet has reviewed the decision-making machinery of Government with the objective to improve co-ordination and facilitate effective implementation of government’s development agenda within the framework of the People’s coalition Government.
“Two Cabinet subcommittees which are the Economic Strategy Committee (ESC), and the Cabinet Subcommittee on Budget (CSB), will be established,” Mr Rabuka said.
“The Development Subcommittee of Permanent Secretaries will also be reactivated.
“The Economic Strategy Committee (ESC) of Cabinet will be chaired by the Prime Minister. Its members include the three Deputy Prime Ministers.
“The committee will deliberate on emerging economic policy matters and provide guidance on the formulation of the strategic development plan for the next four years.
“New investment proposals that substantively require Cabinet approval will be deliberated at the ESC prior to Cabinet. Other Cabinet ministers will be co-opted on a needs-basis particularly in the areas covering their respective portfolios.”
He said to better align key decisions made at Cabinet level, the Prime Minister will also chair the Cabinet Subcommittee on Budget (CSB).
“The membership of the CSB will include the three Deputy Prime Ministers. Other Cabinet ministers, the chief executive officer of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service and other officials, will be co-opted as the need arises.
“Cabinet also agreed to reactivate the Development Subcommittee (DSC) of Permanent Secretaries.
“The DSC is a forum whereby the permanent secretaries deliberate on matters concerning government conduct and issues that govern the government machinery.
“This will allow permanent secretaries to be well-informed of new policy initiatives, ease coordination and provide clarity on the workings of the government machinery.”
Mr Rabuka said the permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office will be chairing the DSC.
He said the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of the Civil Service will work closely with the Office of the Prime Minister on the effective implementation of the decision-making machinery apparatus of Government.
