PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed concerns that his Government’s 2025– 2026 National Budget could trigger a vote of no confidence, despite serious allegations levelled against a Cabinet minister in the recent Commission of Inquiry report.
In this week’s A Conversation with the PM, Mr Rabuka was asked whether the Coalition Government’s parliamentary support remained intact ahead of the crucial budget session.
He firmly rejected the notion of instability, stating: “What needed to be done I would not have done if I had doubted the support that the Coalition Government enjoys in Parliament.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid growing political scrutiny, but he remains confident the Coalition will maintain control as it delivers its next financial roadmap.
Als, Three per cent. That’s the headline figure – and the one causing a stir in tearooms, buses and union halls across the country. In this week’s Conversation with the PM, a fired-up Dinesh Kumar from Ba calls out what he sees as a meagre return for Fiji’s civil servants, dubbing the announcement “as underwhelming as a flat tyre on a Monday morning”. But Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is not having it. In a full-throated defence, the PM breaks down the numbers – pay bumps, VAT cuts, fuel and food relief, even free school bus
fares – and argues that the total package amounts to far more than meets the eye. “A quarter loaf is better than none,” he reminds critics, drawing on old-school wisdom and new fiscal arithmetic. Is it enough to win over a public facing rising prices and big expectations? Or is this the first chapter of what some are
already calling an “election budget”? Find out as the Prime Minister hits back, line by line, in this week’s exclusive column.
1. Long Walk – Ashis Kumar, Ba
The Ba town Council expects us to walk some 130 metres for a parking meter ticket, should we happen to park near Meenoos Ba shop. Return walk to your car of around 260 metres. Isn’t it a long walk to avoid fines being imposed?
FT: Prime Minister, is it acceptable for municipal parking systems to force people to walk over 250 metres just to pay for a meter ticket?
PM: have to agree, it is certainly not acceptable for motorists to walk long distances due to faulty parking metres. This matter has been referred to the Ministry for Local Government for following up with the Ba Town Council, and it should be a wake-up call to the rest of the municipalities around the country to ensure that parking metres are regularly serviced and are kept in a good, working order.
2. Street Dwellers – Selwa Nandan, Lautoka
I find it hard to believe that 200 homeless people are living in the streets of Lautoka. It is even harder to accept that all of them are homeless. From my own observation I believe the number is much less. The relevant agency responsible for the street dwellers would be in a more informed position to confirm the exact figure. But it is worth noting that most of these people are young, healthy and able bodied. In other words, they can fend for themselves rather than surviving on food donated by Good Samaritans. I know many of them have families and a place to stay but they are so accustomed to their free life style that they don’t want to live with them. Many attempts have been made to reintegrate them back with their families but to no avail as they want to live on their own terms. They have even refused to help with simple household chores. I believe building a shelter home for them would open the flood gate for it will only perpetuate the culture of dependency. We need to explore other alternative ways of assisting them to support the Government.
FT: What sustainable and accountable strategies does the People’s Coalition Government have in place to address the increasing presence of street dwellers – especially those refusing reintegration support?
PM: The Government is aware of the growing number of people living or spending time on our streets, and we understand that each person’s situation is different. Through the Ministry for Women, Children and Social Protection, we are committed to supporting vulnerable individuals in our communities. From the outreach programmes of the Ministry, we’ve found that some people loiter in town areas during the day but return home in the evening. Others live on the streets full-time and need support with hygiene, life skills and guidance on how to safely return to their families or communities. This is one of the key reasons Government is establishing a Wellbeing Centre, particularly for children in conflict with the law.
The goal is to help people reconnect with their families where possible, and reintegrate into their communities. At the same time, we recognise that not everyone is ready or willing to return home. For this reason, the Ministry is working with key stakeholders to create sustainable pathways – ensuring that each individual access the right kind of support for their specific situation. We are also looking at training and employment options and are working closely with vocational schools to help street dwellers learn practical skills so they can become more independent.
To ensure quality support, the Ministry uses a personalised care approach, tailoring support plans to meet the unique needs of each person.
With the increase in drug use, crime and HIV cases, the Ministry is collaborating with other Government agencies to ensure government workers are trained and equipped to respond effectively, even in complex situations beyond their core responsibilities. Government is also working closely with faith-based organisations, civil society organisations and businesses to take a holistic approach—providing essential items such as clothing, bedding, and other basic needs when necessary.
3. Civil servants’ Pay Rise – Dinesh Kumar, Ba
Three per cent? That’s it? After all the anticipation, discussions, this is the grand reward for the thousands of hardworking civil servants holding this country together? Surely, Minister of Finance, you could have aimed a little higher than the price of a loaf of bread. Frankly, this announcement is as under-whelming as a flat tyre on a Monday morning. The Government and the unions both get an honourable mention for managing expectations and still falling short. Well played! Time for another change in the next general elections.
FT: How do you justify a 3 per cent pay rise for civil servants amid rising inflation and cost-of-living pressures across the country?
PM: I won’t be as quick as your correspondent to disregard the 3 per cent pay rise for civil servants to, as he puts it, “under-whelming as a flat tyre”.
For those of us who attended boarding schools, our famous saying of ‘a quarter loaf is better than none at all’ may be very appropriate here. Viewed in isolation, a 3 per cent pay rise can be pretty diminutive. I agree. But when you add this 3 per cent to the 7 to 20 per cent pay rise government workers got in the current financial year, then one begins to appreciate and be very thankful for having a little more in their take home pay packet each fortnight.
I also did a very quick exercise when reading your question. In addition to the 3 per cent pay rise, you also need to add the 2.5 per cent gain from the VAT reduction to 12.5 per cent, the 17 per cent gain in the drop in fiscal duty for selected imported frozen foods, vegetables and fruits, plus the 10 per cent drop in bus fares as well as the 8.75 per cent Interest pay out by FNPF. That’s about 30 to 40 per cent tax relief on its own.
If that is not enough, and if civil servants qualify, they don’t pay for their water, electricity and medicine bills, they don’t pay for their children’s stationery, or their daily bus fare to school, or repay student loans for tertiary studies, and if they have a child who is an ECE teacher, the child becomes a fulltime teacher from 1 August 2025, and that is straight away a 50 per cent pay increase.
So far from it being ‘under-whelming,’ the pay rise for civil servants is going a very long way in assisting our workers cope with the high cost of living, and bring about some relief and comfort, as well as adding some dignity for their families.
4. Election Budget – Vikel Lal, Nasinu
In its last year to govern and after increasing VAT from 9 per cent to 15 per cent in their first year in government, the Finance Minister is reducing VAT to 12.5 percent, reducing bus fares by 10 per cent and increasing social welfare allowances, this can be seen as nothing less than an election budget!
FT: How do you respond to claims that this budget – with VAT cuts, fare subsidies, and welfare boosts – is designed to win votes rather than address long-term needs?
PM: When journalists asked me after the delivery of the national budget on 27 June, I had said that what Deputy Prime Minister Prasad had handed down was a reflection of our assessment of what the economy needed, and what the people had asked for.
It is for this reason that we had done what we did, some of these I had highlighted already in your previous question: VAT has been reduced to 12.5 per cent, bus fares by 10 per cent, fiscal duty on selected imported frozen foods, vegetables and fruits by 22.5 per cent, on top of a 3 per cent pay rise for civil servants and a huge 8.75 per cent interest payout by FNPF, and so on.
Hon Prasad, in his budget address, labelled the budget as a bold one, “for it protects our people, make our economy more resilient, and continue to build our much-needed infrastructure and productive capacity”.
The international accounting firm Grant Thorton thought the 2025-2026 national budget was “ambitious, people-centred and forward-looking”.
ANZ Bank’s International Economist Kishti Sen called it a “Pro Growth” Budget.
You yourself, the Fiji Times in your Saturday, 28 June edition front-page headline stated, “Fijians Give 2025-2026 National Budget a Thumps Up.”
I rest my case.
5. Debt Swap – Selwa Nandan, Lautoka
A debt swap deal saw the ownership of $9million worth Lautoka Bowling Club change hands from FSC to South Pacific Fertilizer Ltd (FT 24/6). I am just curious to know if the property would have fetched a better price if it was sold in the open market under a competitive bidding process. As it is, this contra arrangement between the two parties is no different from a private sale.
FT: Can you confirm whether the $9m Lautoka Bowling Club deal underwent any competitive or transparent tender process before ownership changed hands?
PM: The Lautoka Bowling Club property was advertised for sale through a formal public tender process. A total of seven bids were received, with the highest offer at $6.5million. The highest bidder also indicated a willingness to negotiate the final purchase price.
The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has an outstanding debt of $8.7million with South Pacific Fertilizers Ltd (SPFL), which has accumulated since 2015. SPFL proposed acquiring the Lautoka Bowling Club property as a means to offset this debt. FSC agreed to the arrangement, and both parties are now in the process of formalizing the sale and purchase agreement.
The debt swap proposal has been endorsed by the respective boards of FSC and SPFL. This arrangement has also provided some fiscal relief to FSC by reducing its reliance on direct government financial support as it continues its recovery efforts.
6. Courage to Continue – Tahir Ali, NZ
Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts. — Winston Churchill.
FT: Prime Minister, after recent political setbacks and scrutiny, where do you personally draw the courage to continue leading?
PM: I have shared with your readers in several of my previous columns my favourite Bible Scripture in the book of the Prophet Micah chapter 6 and verse 8.
The King James Version (KJV) translation reads:
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
7. Apartheid Rugby – Sukhar Singh, Labasa
For Jan Nissar’s information, there is no apartheid in rugby or athletics and weightlifting. It is just that Indians are not interested in playing rugby. Just because a few Indians are playing, you want them to be in the Fiji teams!
FT: How is the People’s Coalition Government working to increase diversity and inclusion in national sports, particularly for underrepresented ethnic groups?
PM: Thankfully, our support for sports development in Fiji both in majority and minority sports is per need basis, and not based on ethnic or any other criteria.
Being a former national representative in rugby 15 and athletics, I am glad that our sports policy is pursued free from ethnic bias or racial discrimination. Of course, I would like to see more Fijians of Indian ethnicity take up rugby 7 or 15 as a preferred sports, but then again, we are a free country, and anyone and everyone can play whatever sports he or she likes.
8. Crow Story – Rakesh Chand Sharma, Nadi
Once a man was working on his farm when a crow swooped down and its claws graced the ears of the man. The man began running after the craw saying, “kauwa kaan laige; kauwa kaan laige” (“crow has taken my ear; crow has taken my ear”). A wise man walking by the road stopped him and advised him to touch his ear first to see if it is intact. The Americans and the Europeans are still to find a wise man to tell them if Iran has really run away with the enriched Uranium.
FT: In today’s volatile geopolitics, how is the People’s Coalition Government ensuring that decisions on international security and diplomacy are based on evidence – not fear or speculation.
PM: Any sovereign nation that conducts its international security and diplomacy on fear or speculation does so at its own peril.
For Fiji, our ‘Bible’ is the Foreign Policy White Paper of 2024, which reaffirms the central position of the Pacific in our foreign policy calculations.
That’s the key point I articulated when I addressed the National Press Club in Canberra earlier this week, that our most significant security threat lies in the prospect of a region which is riven by division, insecurity and instability.
It therefore flows that contributing to a stable Indo-Pacific region is Fiji’s highest strategic priority.
It is because of my belief in a Pacific approach to security, stability and prosperity, and my concerns over the challenges we face, that I proposed at the Pacific Islands Forum in Rarotonga in 2023 that regional leaders agree on a set of principles that embed peace as the cornerstone of our individual and collective policies.
This is the Ocean of Peace concept.
I believe it could represent the evolution of our longstanding commitment to the peace and prosperity of our people, to meet the needs and expectations of a Pacific facing a complex and challenging global environment.
The Ocean of Peace is a signal that we seek a region in which strategic competition is managed; where stability is the touchstone of regional relationships; and where coercion is eschewed. A region where differences are resolved peacefully.
9. Mahendra Chaudhry – Paras Naidu, Lautoka
Sorry to say that I believe this person is expired, rejected, unwanted etc. Yet he wants to talk on national matters and issues. I believe he is the downfall of this nation. I believe he is responsible for the downfall of the sugar industry, the downfall of unionism and the downfall of farmers of this nation. I believe he forgets what he has done to the nation.
FT: Do you believe former political leaders still have a constructive role to play in national dialogue, regardless of their past controversies?
PM: When does a political leader, become a former political leader? Some time ago when a reporter enquired as to when I will I retire from politics, I responded that politicians never retire. Even when our term in political office ends, politicians move on to the next one.
We move office, or change job but we never retire.
To answer your question specifically, it is up to the person, whether as a former political leader or a current political leader to decide whether he or she should continue to play a role in national dialogue, and when to call it a day and move on.
10. Elderly Care – Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
A lot has come out in recent days pertaining to elderly neglect and abuse. I suppose we are left wondering how we end up with this situation within the family units. Some weeks back, we were told that parents are using their children to peddle drugs. They have also been repeatedly advised to stay away from the tanoa and smartphones to be productively involved in their children’s lives and education. Hasn’t it also been reported that many parents poke their noses into their children’s marriages? On the ground, would you be aware of parents who are encouraging all their children to migrate? In no way I am suggesting that whatever is happening is correct, but doesn’t a lot depend on what the parents continuously teach their children?
FT: With rising concerns over elderly neglect, what is People’s Coalition Government doing to strengthen intergenerational support and protect the dignity of seniors in Fiji?
PM: The Coalition Government is doing as much as it can provide for our senior citizens despite the very limited fiscal space we inherited.
You will recall that under the 2025-2026 national budget, all Social Welfare recipients and Government pensioners get a 5% increase in their monthly allowances.
Of course, this is in addition to the across-the-board 15% Social Welfare allowance increase that was provided for in the 2024-2025 budget.
We have not forgotten our ex-servicemen and veterans as well, for under the 2025-2026 budget, their medical allowance gets an $800,000 boost.
Pensioners that were affected by the 2012 pension reforms of the FNPF pension under the previous government get an additional $4 million support under this new budget.
Add all this to the other cost of living support measures like the 2.5% drop in VAT, the 10% drop in bus fares, the provision for water, electricity and medicine subsidies, I am very confident that the Coalition Government has done and will continue to do more in the provision of intergenerational support for our senior citizens.
11. Great Expectation – Rajend Naidu, Sydney
Dan Urai believes “the removal of the Qarase government and all members of the Senate and Parliament in 2006 is haunting Bainimarama” (FT 28/6). I don’t think so. One has to be a man of conscience to feel that way for doing a grave wrong. I am sure Rabuka still has very restful sleep after his catastrophic coup of 1987 which changed the trajectory of our beloved country.
FT: Do you believe there is enough public accountability in Fiji’s political history, especially regarding the long-term impacts of coups?
PM: A major reason why the Coalition Government pushed for the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission is not only to recognise the impacts of coup de’tat but to provide some closure for the historic pain and trauma for both the victims and perpetrators, if they so wish.
12. Political Parties – Dan Urai, Lautoka
I believe Fiji First is the only party that abandoned its voters.
FT: What steps is the People’s Coalition Government taking to ensure all political parties remain accountable to their voters between elections?
PM: It is not the mandated role of the Coalition Government to ensure accountability of political parties to their voters, for this is something that the voters themselves can call for, or decide upon in the next general elections.
13. Effective Policing – Kirti Patel, Lautoka
It’s not about having more police personnel, but effectiveness! We can have thousands and millions in one force yet if there is no effectiveness, there is no point. However, I will take this opportunity to thank the honest and hard-working police officers who are always on their toes for our nation. We need an effective one for our Simla area which is full of crime.
FT: What reforms are underway to improve the effectiveness – not just numbers of police in high-crime areas like Simla?
PM: The fight against crime in addition to illicit drugs and HIV has to be tackled head on and does require a whole of nation response for it to be effective.
The establishment of the Ministry of Policing with a very capable Minister in Hon Iowane Naivalurua signifies a strong commitment and dedicated focus on rebuilding public trust and confidence in law enforcement. Reforms also continue in the Narcotics Bureau as well as in our border protection.
Under the 2025-2026 national budget, the Fiji Police Force is provided an increased funding of $240.3 million, that is an increase of $13.5 million. Government has also agreed in the increase of the size of the Police Force by an additional 1000 personnel. This will take the full strength of our Police force to more than 6,550 across all ranks.
Ratio-wise, this is 1 officer to 137 people. This means that there will be 730 officers per 100,000 population. The global standard ratio number is around 300 officers per 100,000 population. Fiji is more than double.
This added strength should now provide a much bigger police visibility, mobility and presence around the country.
Now that Government is providing more funds and support for our Police Force, the onus is now on the Commissioner of Police and his men and women in the Force to step up and direct their expertise and resources at making Fiji and its people safer.
14. VAT Issue – Kiran Khatri – Samabula, Suva
The 2.5 per cent VAT decrease will likely go into the pockets of businesses. Will the $4 recharge now cost $3.91? Will the $7.50 movie ticket now cost $7.34? Will the $5 pumpkin soup now cost $4.89? Most likely not. Rather, the VAT rate should have been left at 15 per cent and more items should have been added to the zero-rated listing. For example, bread, breakfast crackers, butter, cheese, oats, Weetbix, cornflakes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, bottled water, and basic data plans. The added debt would have been lower, and we could have seen some notable price reductions.
FT: What monitoring mechanisms will be used to ensure that the recent VAT reduction actually leads to price drops for consumers?
PM: I am glad that your letter writer raised this very real and troubling problem that persists whenever tax concessions or price reductions are announced. If you recall, our 2025-2026 national budget offered over $500 million in tax and duty relief.
Because of Government’s insistence that these reductions must be passed on to consumers by the business community, we have established the joint multi-agency Price Monitoring and Enforcement Taskforce.
This body comprises representatives of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), Consumer Council of Fiji, Fiji Revenue Customs Services and the Ministry of Finance and it will monitor prices closely on the ground to ensure the benefits of tax reductions are passed onto our people.
Where necessary, the taskforce will propose immediate policy response measures like imposition of price controls on new items, reductions or even removal of tariff protections provided to our local manufacturers and producers who are unreasonable with pricing, and even harder punitive measures including fines to ensure compliance with the law.
We need our business community to support Government and pass these reductions to our people.
This support is meant for the consumers, and it is unjust and unethical for businesses to pocket these reductions and deprive our ordinary people of the much-needed price relief.
15. Cart before the Horse – Tahir Ali, New Zealand
The Fiji Times opinion cartoon “Election reflections” (FT7/6) speaks volumes on constitution election system. It can be anyone’s guess that if you put the cart before the horse, the horse will bite you. And if you put it in front it will kick you. A wise man once said on leadership – Don’t walk in front or behind on push or pull factors. Politicians will jump on the band wagon and enjoy the ride.
FT: Is the People’s Coalition Government open to reviewing Fiji’s electoral system to better reflect public will and restore trust in democratic processes?
PM: You will find the answer to your question in the work of the Fiji Electoral Laws Reform Commission that is headed by former Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki. I am looking forward to reading their report on the review of our electoral laws and systems.
Commission of Inquiry Report:
FT: Why did your office delay the public release of the Commission of Inquiry report for eight weeks after receiving it, especially given its serious implications and public interest?
PM: The COI Report was released through the Ministry of Information, with the endorsement of His Excellency the President after all the legal requirements and processes have been completed.
FT: Did you personally instruct or influence the Judicial Services Commission or Mr Leung regarding the appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner, at any point prior to or after the decision?
PM: No.
FT: What specific evidence did you rely on to justify Mr Leung’s dismissal, beyond the findings of the Commission, particularly given his claim that no official copy or transcripts were provided to him prior to his termination?
PM: The Attorney General – like any member of Cabinet – serves at the pleasure of the Prime Minister.
FT: In light of Mr Leung’s statement that ministers are not entitled to natural justice upon dismissal, do you believe this constitutional loophole should be reviewed to ensure fairness and transparency in future cabinet terminations?
PM: This is not a loophole in the constitution as you assert, but a long held practice under the democratic Westminster system.
16. Budget Vote
FT: Prime Minister, given that the Commission of Inquiry report casts serious allegations against a members of your Cabinet, are you confident that your Government’s 2025–2026 National Budget will withstand parliamentary scrutiny and avoid triggering a vote of no confidence?
PM: What needed to be done I would not have done if I had doubted the support that the Coalition Government enjoys in parliament.
17. Australia Visit
FT: Prime Minister, what key issues do you anticipate discussing with the Australian media regarding regional stability and Fiji’s role amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Pacific?
PM: My current visit to Australia is part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening the renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership between the two countries.
Discussions have centred on strengthening our border and port capabilities, deepening security cooperation and reinforcing regional solidarity in support of a safe, stable and resilient Blue Pacific.
I spoke about my vision for the Pacific Ocean of Peace when I addressed the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, for this vision lies at the heart of Fiji’s vision for Pacific security—anchored in unity and strengthened through regional cooperation.
The Ocean of Peace offers this generation of Pacific Leaders the opportunity to live up to the goal codified in the Treaty of Rarotonga – to ensure, so far as lies within their power, that the bounty and beauty of the land and sea in their region shall remain the heritage of their peoples and their descendants in perpetuity to be enjoyed by all in peace.
The concept draws on foundational tenets of Pacific regionalism. It is our opportunity to weave the threads of our Pacific past with our vision for our Pacific future.
I am glad that despite the very busy schedule, I was able to pay my respects at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, for it is always a solemn moment to remember those among us that made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
From that deeply moving event in Canberra, the delegation was very happy and proud to meet the 129 members of the RFMF that are undergoing a 5-month military training exercise at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Central Queensland.
Some 30,000 military personnel from 19 nations are involved in the exercise, and our men are in good health and spirit.
