The coalition Government will ensure that all political parties in Parliament are adequately funded and resourced to encourage bipartisanship between the Government and the Opposition.
This was the response by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Prof Biman Prasad when asked by The Fiji Times on his plans to involve the Opposition in matters of Parliament.
Prof Prasad said he and his colleagues for the past eight years as Opposition had always advocated for bipartisan work between them and the government, unfortunately the FijiFirst government did not take interest in it.
He said the coalition Government would do things differently, but the onus was on the Opposition.
“We as a government will make sure that happens in the next Parliament, but of course that depends a lot on those of the Opposition side,” he added.
The Deputy Prime Minister said there are numerous mechanisms in Parliament to ensure the Government and the Opposition worked together.
“There are mechanisms within Parliament, such as you know standing committees, where members of the government and the Opposition must work together.
“We will empower those committees, will ensure that they have adequate resources.”
He said he looked forward to working with all Fijians in the new year. “We look forward to hearing the voices of our people; we look forward to delivering the best to the people of this country.”
