Thousands of dollars in public funds have been spent upgrading overseas flights to business class for ministers and assistant ministers, including trips where international organisations had already funded economy-class tickets.
The expenditure was disclosed in Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s written response to Parliament, detailing 182 official overseas trips undertaken by ministers and assistant ministers, including former officeholders, between May 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026.
Foreign Affairs Minister Sakiasi Ditoka’s parliamentary delegation visit to the United Kingdom included a business-class airfare top-up of $21,140, while the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association funded an economy-class ticket costing $4,595.
The response also listed a $16,351.46 business-class upgrade for Health Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu’s visit to Cambodia for the ninth meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum.
Women, Children and Social Protection Minister Sashi Kiran incurred a $10,677.92 business-class upgrade for a trip to Thailand to attend a global symposium on social protection. UNICEF funded her economy airfare of $3,699.38, along with accommodation and subsistence expenses.
Information Minister Lynda Tabuya’s travel to Australia for Fiji Day celebrations included a $7,378 ticket upgrade. The organisers had funded her economy-class airfare and provided accommodation and meals.
Among assistant ministers, Penioni Ravunawa’s trip to the Philippines for a health initiative meeting included a business-class upgrade costing $11,909.20.
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua incurred two business-class upgrades: $2,389 for travel to Vanuatu and $5,683 for a professional development programme in Australia. The United Nations Development Programme funded her economy airfare to Vanuatu, while the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association covered return flights, accommodation and meals for the Australian programme.
Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Sakiusa Tubuna incurred a $1,563 ticket upgrade for a parliamentary visit to New Zealand, with the UNDP funding his return ticket and other travel costs.
Former minister Siromi Turaga incurred an $8,821.18 business-class top-up for a trip to Singapore, while the late former Agriculture Minister Vatimi Rayalu’s travel to Tonga included a $2,298 upgrade from economy to business class.
