Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced that the penalty for littering will consistently be set at $40, regardless of whether the offender is disposing of a car, a refrigerator, or a plastic bag. In a statement made during a Parliamentary session, he indicated that the Government is in the process of reviewing and amending the Litter Act of 2008.
Rabuka specified that corporate entities found guilty of littering will face a penalty of $2,000, no matter the type or amount of litter involved. He characterized the current penalties as inadequate for serious environmental violations, noting that the Litter Act offers a vague definition of public places and lacks clear boundaries for litter enforcement.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Ministry of Environment is actively working to enhance enforcement measures, which he identified as a key concern. He pointed out that the challenge lies not within the Act itself, but rather in how it is enforced. Rabuka also mentioned that the Ministry of Environment is aware of the deficiencies in the Litter Act and its 2010 amendment and is committed to improving enforcement and implementation through this review process.