ASSISTANT Minister for Transport Naisa Tuinaceva has described the 2026–2027 National Budget as a strong outcome for ordinary Fijians, saying it prioritises welfare support while maintaining fiscal discipline.
“It’s good for the country, it’s good for the ordinary people,” he said.
“I think, as you have seen in the budget, there are a lot of things still there for them, and even that has increased, like the money given especially on the welfare side. I think it’s a good one, it’s a good budget.”
Mr Tuinaceva said Government had deliberately redirected resources to strengthen social protection measures for vulnerable households, particularly amid ongoing economic pressures.
“There’s a lot of control in place, as the Government has already mentioned in the announcement, that they need to take care and tighten up a bit of their expenses.”
They have stopped the increase in Government reliefs that will assist, and are able to give more to those who deserve, those who need more, in terms of Government assistance.”
He said the overall intention of the budget was to ensure assistance reaches those most in need, while controlling unnecessary expenditure in government operations.
Mr Tuinaceva maintained that the fiscal strategy reflects a balance between economic restraint and targeted social spending, adding that increased welfare allocations demonstrate government’s continued focus on supporting low-income families and vulnerable groups across Fiji.
