The Fiji Labour Party is urging the Public Service Commission to reveal the costs associated with the recent two-day retreat for Permanent Secretaries held at the Pearl South Resort. In a statement, the FLP responded to PSC Chairperson Luke Rokovada’s reaction to their criticism of the Prime Minister hosting a thank-you party for Cabinet ministers at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, while Permanent Secretaries participated in a weekend retreat at a luxury venue.
Rokovada dismissed the Labour Party’s remarks as “ill-advised and irresponsible.” In contrast, former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry criticized the government’s lavish gatherings during a time when many citizens are struggling with a rising cost of living. Chaudhry questioned who is truly behaving irresponsibly and suggested that workshops and training sessions for government officials could be conducted at more affordable venues in Suva, such as the University of the South Pacific or Fiji National University, avoiding expensive overnight stays.
He emphasized that Rokovada’s defense that the previous Fiji First government engaged in similar practices at even higher expenses does not justify the current spending. Chaudhry pointed out that it is inappropriate for a government facing a financial crisis—relying on significant budget support from international donors—to spend extravagantly on self-entertainment. He also highlighted the incongruity of a government imposing austerity measures on the general public while simultaneously granting itself substantial pay hikes and perks, urging the Coalition government to lead by example and demonstrate greater empathy towards the struggles of ordinary citizens.