Cabinet approves the rules and guidelines of the ministers

Decision making in cabinet is by consensus, and there is no voting.

Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka has made this clear while speaking on the approved general rules and guidelines for ministers.

Rabuka says the ministers are encouraged to speak freely on any given proposal.

He says the first duty of ministers is to fully participate in discussions on policy matters, it is a collective responsibility and one of the fundamental principles of decision making in cabinet. Rabuka says no one can come out and say I did not agree with that because once you agree as a cabinet, that becomes government policy and is implemented.

The Prime Minister says policies determined by cabinet must then be actioned by the ministers and their respective ministries.

He also stresses that ministers are public office holders and are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their role as servants of the people.

Rabuka says a minister should not use any information which comes to him or her as a minister during cabinet discussion for his or her private profit or for the benefit of their friends and close associates, and ministers must not solicit, encourage or accept gifts, benefits or favour either for themselves or for another person in connection with the performance or non-performance of his or her official duties.

Cabinet agreed that any gifts received by a minister must be declared and recorded in a gift register in individual ministries.

Rabuka also stresses no cabinet matters and papers must be released without the prior approval of the Prime Minister.