Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has addressed the backlash surrounding the extravagant special dinner held at the Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH). The event, which took place last Tuesday, was attended by Ministers, Assistant Ministers, and their spouses, and was described as an occasion for “fellowship and team bonding.”
Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry criticized the gathering, labeling it as “lavish and sickening,” arguing that such expenditures are questionable given Fiji’s reliance on financial support from Australia and New Zealand.
Speaking after attending a church service at Suva’s Centenary Church, Rabuka stated that the dinner was financed through the Prime Minister’s Entertainment Budget. This explanation was initially provided by crossbencher MP Mosese Bulitavu, who defended the meal and pointed out Chaudhry’s past financial investments outside Fiji, which had led to a fine of $2.47 million in 2014.
“It was still part of team building. We were three days away from the end of the budget year, and the Prime Minister’s Entertainment Budget had not been fully utilized,” Rabuka explained. “I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to do so in light of the recent civil servants’ week, which also focused on team bonding from the Public Service Commission.”
In the 2023-2024 National Budget, the Office of the Prime Minister received $50.8 million, while the current 2024-2025 budget allocates $28.4 million. Rabuka emphasized the positive impact on civil servants’ morale and suggested that a similar event for Ministers and their spouses would facilitate camaraderie outside of the formal office setting.