Opposition member of Parliament Parveen Kumar has criticized the Government for its lack of direction and for taking “short-sighted decisions on many fronts.” In his budget response, Kumar stated that Fiji is losing its best and brightest citizens who see discrimination and a lack of a secure and progressive future in the country.
Kumar pointed out glaring omissions in the budget, particularly measures to counter inflation and the rising cost of living, which severely affect the daily lives of ordinary Fijians. “We must acknowledge that the increase in debt, increase in expenditure, and slow economic growth are alarming indicators of our current trajectory. As a country, we need to ask ourselves: Where are we heading? What are the solutions?” he said.
Kumar criticized the Prime Minister’s proposal for a Government of National Unity or a bipartisan approach, questioning the common ground for such unity. “For the past two years, we have witnessed drama after drama instead of action. The people of Fiji are suffering because the country is not progressing, no matter how much funds are allocated to ministries or how many policies are introduced. None of this will work without political stability,” he emphasized.
Kumar stressed that real unity on the ground is required to move forward. He also criticized the budget for lacking positive growth, stating that the previous government focused on delivering tangible results rather than just “big talk.” He remarked, “The people of Fiji have experienced what it means to have an all-talk, no-action government in the past 18 months. Sadly, the people of Fiji will continue to suffer as they await relief from the cost of living pressures, compounded by the lack of action to provide that needed relief.”