Opposition member of Parliament Ratu Suliano Matanitobua says the 2021-2022 National Budget was a betrayal of the mandate given to Government by those who voted them in.
In his contribution to the 2021-2022 Appropriation Bill, Ratu Suliano said everyone could see that the budget prepared by Attorney-General and Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was nothing but “an election campaign budget”.
“Almost everyone can see the real designs of this budget and the speech by the honourable Minister for Economy as nothing but electioneering,” he said.
“What a shame.”
Ratu Suliano also described Government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis as “ruthless”.
“Just look at how ruthless they are – having stopped COVID-19 tests, forcing people to stay home, starving people in and outside the containment zone without food and water, and not willing to lockdown to curb and control this monstrous pandemic.
“How many more will get infected and how many more will die before this Government comes out of the pocket of the rich to become the custodian of public interest?”
He also highlighted the plight faced by people of Serua and Namosi and Tailevu-Naitasiri who were affected by the containment borders.
“Thousands of them who earn a living by working in the containment zone are without jobs and weekly income. They are struggling with their families to find food but they remember the famous quote by none but the prime minister not long ago and I quote “who gives a damn?”.
