UNITY Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube has hit back at Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad over his claims of economic sabotage.
Responding to Prof Prasad’s fiery comeback at his statements at the Integrity Summit in Canberra, where he commented on Australia’s budgetary support for Fiji, the former RBF governor labelled Prof Prasad and Minister for Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu’s comments as “threats”.
“Their utterances and threats are strategies of the former FijiFirst government, which this Coalition Government has deliberately decided to keep,” Mr Narube said in a statement.
“In staying with this arrogant style, their responses are personal and does not address the issues.
“Their responses are incorrect. They are unbecoming of our ministers.”
He said tragically, instead of helping enlighten people, they showed an absolute lack of professionalism and integrity.
“They have reconfirmed to the people that they are not fit to lead this country.
“Some of the facts are, firstly I did not say for Australia to reduce their assistance and secondly, I urged the Australians to do two things — increase their assistance to Fiji especially on climate change and make sure that their assistance is spent on the right priorities.
“The Minister for Finance perhaps out of guilt said that I had called for a reduction in budget support.
“That is incorrect.
“What I said was for Australia to tighten the policy triggers of budget support to ensure Fiji spends the Australian taxpayers’ money wisely.”
He said this was in the interest of both Australia and Fiji.
