Independent Opposition Member of Parliament, Parveen Kumar Bala, has emphasized that Fiji’s progress requires genuine unity rather than merely invoking multiculturalism during events like the Girmit Celebrations.
During the debate on the 2024-2025 National Budget in Parliament today, Bala questioned the effectiveness of the proposed Government of National Unity or Bipartisan approach by the Prime Minister. He criticized the government for engaging in continuous drama instead of taking meaningful action over the past two years.
“The people of Fiji are suffering because the country is not progressing. No matter how much money is allocated to ministries or how many policies are introduced, none of this will succeed without political stability,” Bala asserted.
He argued that while funds have been approved by lending agencies, investors lack confidence and are hesitant to invest because they do not feel secure under the current government.
Bala claimed the government lacked direction and expressed concerns over its short-sighted decisions. He highlighted that Fiji is losing some of its brightest talents due to perceived discrimination and lack of a secure future.
“This budget lacks positive growth because it is rooted in backward-looking, negative thinking. What else can we expect when the Hon. Minister for Finance, in almost every speech, resorts to blaming others?” Bala criticized.
He added, “The previous government focused on delivering results on the ground, not just making grand statements. In the past 18 months, the people of Fiji have experienced what it means to have an all-talk, no-action government.”
Bala conveyed his disappointment that the budget did not provide the much-needed relief from the cost of living pressures and accused the government of being self-serving.
“The people of Fiji were expecting relief from this budget but were let down. The people are observing, they are listening, and they are concluding that this is a Coalition Government by the Coalition and for the Coalition, which does not inspire confidence in our future,” he stressed.
Bala also criticized the budget’s formulation process, pointing out the lack of open and transparent consultations and questioning the competency of the fiscal advisors involved. He argued that the Fiscal Review Committee’s advice seemed disconnected from the realities faced by the people and could push more Fijians into poverty.
“This reliance on a narrow set of advisors who may not fully understand the on-ground realities is dangerous. It shows a lack of respect for the principles of inclusive governance,” Bala said.
He further pointed out that excluding key stakeholders such as industry leaders and community representatives from the budget consultations exacerbates the disconnect between the government and the people it serves.