Acting Prime Minister and Acting Minister for Local Government Filimoni Vosarogo says the Government’s position on the Miss Fiji Pageant has been misunderstood, stressing that Cabinet has merely clarified its decision and does not endorse actions taken outside that framework.
“Let me be clear,” Mr Vosarogo said.
“The press release on the Miss Fiji Pageant clarifies the decision reached by the Government in October 2025.”
He said Cabinet’s role was limited to approving the return of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant to Fiji after seven years and providing funding support to both the Miss Fiji and Miss Pacific pageants.
“It clarifies our role in approving the Miss South Pacific to come back to Fiji after seven years and the funding which we provided to the Miss Fiji and the Miss Pacific,” he said.
Mr Vosarogo added that Cabinet had also approved that the winner of the Miss Fiji Pageant would represent Fiji at the regional competition.
“The expectation of the Government is that, like all Cabinet decisions, it will be respected,” he said.
However, he said if organisers chose not to abide by that decision, responsibility rested with them, not the Government.
“If they chose not to abide by it, as they have done, it is their decision and not a Government-endorsed departure,” Mr Vosarogo said.
“It is their decision and not of the Government, as in two press conferences, Cabinet endorsement or approval has been mentioned by the organisers.”
He said his statement was aimed at clearing confusion around Cabinet’s role.
“This clarifies the position of Cabinet that was often referred to in discussions and interviews,” he said.
“There was a lot of misunderstanding of the Cabinet decision. I have outlined that in my release.”
Mr Vosarogo also rejected claims that his comments contradicted the Prime Minister or the line minister.
“The position taken in the release doesn’t contradict the position of the Honourable Prime Minister and of Honourable Nalumisa,” he said.
“It clarifies the Cabinet process and indemnifies the Government from decisions made outside of Cabinet.”
