Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka recently hosted a special dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, drawing criticism due to the venue’s expensive nature. The event, held on Tuesday evening, was attended by Government Ministers, Assistant Ministers, and their spouses as a gesture of appreciation for their work over the past two years.
Rabuka expressed that the evening was a demonstration of the shared bond among cabinet members, promoting friendship and camaraderie. He encouraged continued hard work and dreaming without boundaries.
However, former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry criticized the event, calling it an embarrassment given Fiji’s frequent requests for budget support from Australia and New Zealand. He argued that such extravagance is inappropriate considering the country’s financial reliance, highlighting the recent $86 million support signed with Australia.
Chaudhry questioned the source of funding for the dinner, arguing that it’s unjustifiable when the country cannot yet afford a minimum wage of $5 an hour for its lowest-paid workers. He accused the Coalition of ministers of self-enrichment through lavish parties and unnecessary expenses while neglecting the struggles of the broader population. He also pointed out that ministers receive substantial salaries, allowances, and recent increases in their remuneration.
Chaudhry noted that this is the first instance since Fiji’s independence that such events have been organized for Ministers and Assistant Ministers, and he criticized the use of taxpayer money for the extravaganza.