Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced that the penalty for littering will remain at $40, regardless of whether the offense involves dumping a car, a fridge, or a plastic bag. In his remarks during a parliamentary session, Rabuka stated that the government is actively reviewing and planning to amend the Litter Act of 2008.
He pointed out that for corporate offenders, the fine will be set at $2,000, without consideration for the type or amount of litter involved. Rabuka emphasized that the current penalty is inadequate for serious environmental violations and noted that the Litter Act only has a vague definition of public places, making litter enforcement boundaries unclear.
Furthermore, Rabuka highlighted that the Ministry of Environment is working diligently to enhance enforcement measures. He stressed that the primary issue lies not in the Act itself, but rather in the enforcement of its provisions. The Prime Minister acknowledged the Ministry’s recognition of existing shortcomings in the Litter Act of 2008 and its 2010 amendment, underlining the necessity to bolster enforcement and implementation through the ongoing review.