National Federation Party leader and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad has defended the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission’s practice of acknowledging external contributors in taxpayer-funded research, accusing Opposition MP Premila Kumar of misleading the public for political purposes.
The issue arose during a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Affairs hearing into FCCC’s 2023–2024 annual report, where Ms Kumar questioned why private individuals were credited in FCCC-funded research reports.
Responding to the criticism, Professor Prasad said Ms Kumar’s claims ignored standard international research practices, where government agencies routinely engage academics, experts and independent contributors and publicly acknowledge their input.
“It is normal for researchers to ask for contributions from other experts in their field and their names acknowledged,” Professor Prasad said.
“It is also standard practice for researchers to have access to government-funded survey and data to do their own analysis.”
Professor Prasad said recognising independent researchers and specialists strengthened evidence-based policymaking and improved the credibility and transparency of public research.
“Kumar should know better than to misrepresent something that is common practice globally,” he said.
“Having credible researchers and recognised experts attached to reports strengthens the quality of the work, improves transparency, and gives those findings greater credibility, something especially important for a small country like Fiji where strong, trusted research matters both nationally and on the international stage.”
He also drew comparisons with practices overseas, saying governments such as the United Kingdom openly acknowledge academics and specialists involved in publicly funded research projects.
Professor Prasad took aim at the former FijiFirst government, claiming academic and publication freedoms were heavily restricted during its time in office.
“Perhaps Kumar thinks this is still FijiFirst rule, where credit for everyone’s work went to one person. During that time, of course, she wouldn’t dare question anything that her boss did,” he said.
He said researchers must have access to data and surveys for further analysis and argued that Fiji had moved beyond the restrictive environment that existed previously.
Professor Prasad also accused the Opposition of attempting to politicise ordinary governance and research processes as election season approached.
“With serious global issues such as the oil crisis already placing pressure on ordinary Fijians, political leaders should focus on genuine public concerns rather than creating unnecessary controversy and using the tough global conditions for their own political mileage,” he said.
