“Should Fiji Downsize Its Cabinet? Experts Weigh In!”

A former political party general secretary has recently suggested that the number of parliamentarians and government ministers in Fiji should be in line with the country’s economic capacity. Speaking before the Electoral Law Reform Commission in Nadi, the unnamed former official, who contested in the 1992 general election, expressed that maintaining a Parliament size of 55 is appropriate under current economic conditions.

He emphasized the need to avoid further borrowing and highlighted that the nation is already experiencing significant debt. Furthermore, in response to inquiries about the current number of Cabinet ministers and assistant ministers, he criticized the necessity of such positions, stating that their financial burden on citizens during economically challenging times is unjustified.

This sentiment resonates with prior discussions on the expanding size of the Fijian Cabinet, which now includes a total of 38 members as highlighted by voices like Independent MP Jone Usamate. Usamate previously raised concerns about the Cabinet’s large size, arguing that it diverts essential funds from public services and undermines governance effectiveness. Comparisons were made to countries with more efficient ministerial structures, reinforcing the argument that Fiji, with a much smaller population, should maintain a more compact executive team.

Moreover, Nilesh Lal, Executive Director of Dialogue Fiji, pointed out that the growing number of ministerial roles contradicts the urgent socio-economic challenges citizens face, including rising living costs and austerity measures.

Despite the criticisms, ongoing discussions about governance size present a hopeful outlook for potential reforms. Advocates for smaller, more efficient government currently envision accountability frameworks that could bolster public trust and enhance governance responsiveness to citizen needs. It remains to be seen how these discussions will influence future legislative practices and the overall political landscape in Fiji, but there is a shared hope for an administrative structure more in tune with the aspirations and welfare of its people.