Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry has raised concerns about Parliament’s priorities after its decision to provide each Member of Parliament with a laptop and mobile phone. He emphasized that there are more critical national issues that need funding.
Chaudhry pointed out that just recently, the general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union expressed frustration over the government’s delay in releasing 50% of the Free Education Grant for the second term. He stated that supplying personal laptops and high-end mobile phones for MPs at the expense of taxpayers is unjustifiable.
According to Chaudhry, MPs already have access to computers, staff services, and various facilities at their parliamentary offices. He also reminded that earlier this year, they had granted themselves significant pay raises and allowances, despite public dissent.
He argued that MPs should be able to afford their own laptops and mobile phones. Furthermore, he highlighted that each political party receives $325,000 annually from the national budget, and MPs benefit from duty-free vehicle imports, making them some of the most privileged and well-compensated officials in the country.