Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has warned Fijians to brace for a “tough” 2026-2027 National Budget when it is presented later this month, saying the government will prioritise economic realities over popular spending measures as global fuel prices and domestic cost pressures bite households and businesses.
Speaking to reporters, Rabuka said the incoming budget will be “responsible” and geared toward long-term economic stability, even if that requires difficult decisions unpopular with sections of the public. “We are not going to make any pleasant promises because you cannot make pleasant promises at times like this. It’s going to be tough. We’ll just have to be tough about it,” he said, signalling a shift away from discretionary or high-profile spending as the government confronts rising import and energy costs.
Rabuka acknowledged complaints from the transport sector about surging fuel prices, naming taxi operators, carrier drivers and other transport providers as having raised concerns. He said those submissions had been formally noted and would be dealt with through established government processes. A designated sub-committee, working with fuel regulators, will assess submissions from affected operators and produce recommendations for ministerial consideration before any government action is taken, he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that options such as tax relief, targeted subsidies or adjustments to public transport fares remain under consideration but would not be announced prematurely. “Any decisions involving tax relief, subsidies, fare adjustments or other support measures will only be announced after careful consideration,” Rabuka said, urging the public and stakeholders not to speculate ahead of official announcements.
The warning comes as businesses and households across Fiji continue to feel pressure from higher fuel prices and a rising cost of living, a pattern mirrored across the Pacific and many emerging economies. Government officials have signalled for weeks that fiscal discipline will be central to this year’s budget discussions as international energy markets and supply-chain disruptions feed through to domestic inflation and import bills.
The Prime Minister’s comments also arrive amid heightened public scrutiny of government expenditures. Earlier reports last year drew criticism of a high-profile government dinner, prompting debate about spending priorities during tightening fiscal conditions. Rabuka defended that event at the time, noting it was covered under the Prime Minister’s entertainment budget, but the episode remains part of the broader public conversation about how the administration balances expenditure and restraint.
With the budget set for tabling later this month, transport operators and other concerned sectors are waiting for the designated sub-committee’s review and any subsequent recommendations. Rabuka’s emphasis on methodical assessment and cautious public communications suggests the government will seek to temper expectations as it navigates trade-offs between short-term relief and longer-term fiscal sustainability.