Fiji Budget: Most Opposition Criticisms Too Generalised, Substance and Alternatives Needed

Prasad, Sayed-Khaiyum, Rabuka pn424

Criticisms of Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum's Budget flood in. Unfortunately, for the most part, generalisation and hyperbole exceeds substance. 

The Opposition parties need to bullet the items with which they disagree, and say what they would do if in government.


The exception was a detailed critique, with suggested alternatives, of Government policies on the sugar industry by NFP leader Prof. Biman Prasad (See the next posting, pn423,"Sugar Industry: a Bleak Future"). What is now needed is a shorter version, spelling out the main points, for the general public.

Pio Tikoduadua (NFP) says the Budget is "a confusing one" that will not reduce the cost of living ...or boost business confidence... nothing new—just a rehash of the old and vain attempts to muddy the water..."But that tells us nothing about what NFP would do.

The most disappointing comments came from SODELPA leader and former PM Sitiveni Rabuka. He says the poor have been hurt; a few "selected few businesses  will continue to fill their pockets, and Government should reduce national debt to 20% of GDP (it was over 50% when he was PM!), but the rest differed little from what he said of the Budget, a grandstanding talk full of hype.

The Budget, he said, was "Just another grandstanding speech, full of talk,  a lot of hype, self-praise of Government actions, lacking depth, and totally lacking vision for our collective future ... misguided policies and bullish expenditures ...  Government had brought about a Bainimarama doom and gloom rather than a 'boom'" . He wanted Sayed-Khaiyum out, and a new Minister for Economy appointed. 

Viliami Gavoka (SODELPA) was more specific. Government should increase taxes on corporates and spend less on low priorities such as Super Rugby. And Anale Jale (SODELPA) highlighted omissions. The Budget was gender blind, money to improve marine province transport was "peanuts", and there was nothing on sustainable development goals (I thought there was quite a lot on plastics and marine protection. See pn420, "Highlights of the 2019 Fiji Budget...")   

I'd hoped for more useful criticism from the Opposition though, I confess, the NZ opposition is often no better. 

-- ACW