The Coalition Government seems to have “bitten off more than it could chew” when it assumed power, according to Leader of Opposition Inia Seruiratu, in response to the Government’s 2024-2025 National Budget address.
Seruiratu remarked that governments often use the perceived weaknesses of previous administrations as an excuse to justify their inability to deliver services and fulfill promises to the populace. “This budget was no exception, and this has to stop,” he said. “No government comes into power blindfolded. All governments come into power with a full appreciation of the state of existing governance in any country.”
He emphasized that many promises made to the people, particularly before elections, were made with a full understanding of the realities on the ground. “The budget address which we have just had was particularly bad with a list of issues titled, what we have inherited,” Seruiratu added.
He also pointed out that the Minister of Finance had outlined several issues as uncomfortable facts that the Coalition Government had encountered, and questioned whether the Government was forced into these issues. “No. In fact, they campaigned vigorously in the lead-up to the general election so they could get into power,” he said. “Now that they are at the helm, they have realized that they have bitten off more than they can chew. It does not work that way.”