Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says in their first one hundred days in office, they intend to convene a great citizens’ assembly involving Fijians from all walks of life and political persuasions.
In his first national address, Rabuka says its agenda is to add to the manifestos and vision statements of their PA-NFP-SODELPA coalition.
He says they will seek from the delegates their ideas and concepts to complement their plans for building a better, more prosperous and happier nation.
The Prime Minister adds they intend to establish specialist reviews in four key areas, the Constitution and legal reform, the economy, defence and national security, and a forensic examination of the spending of the FijiFirst government.
Rabuka says each review team will include people with expert knowledge, and the teams will report to the appropriate Cabinet member.
He adds that a looming issue is the state of Fiji’s public finances.
He says the government debt may now be above $10 billion and it is a huge burden for a small economy like Fiji.
The Prime Minister says the Minister of Finance will soon be sharing with him and Cabinet, the exact nature of the problem, and he will examine cash flow issues and the structure of debt payment.
He says this will be done in a way that does not impede our development.
Rabuka says other specific tasks include a review of investments in land, a study of various contentious laws to determine whether they should be repealed or amended, an enquiry into the overall financial strength of the Fiji National Provident Fund and the impact of some of its decisions on individual members and pensioners, a study of the new financial arrangement for the operations of the Lautoka and Ba Hospitals, and disbursement of foreign aid money.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed that Ministers and cabinet will have further pay cuts.
While speaking during his first address to the nation, Rabuka says he confirms that in addition to the current 20 percent reduction imposed since March 2020, he is proposing a further cut in the remuneration for all Parliamentarians.
He says with 19 Ministers, the Cabinet is larger than he initially planned, and some Fijians will be concerned about the cost.
He adds that he has considered it necessary to appoint 10 Assistant Ministers to provide additional ministerial power needed for the enormous job of putting things right in virtually all aspects of the nation’s life.
Girmit Day and Ratu Sukuna Day will be official public holidays in 2023.
While speaking during his inaugural address to the nation, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says some months ago, he pledged to legislate for a Girmit Day public holiday to honour the settlers from India who began arriving here in 1879.
He says they were starting a new life in an unknown land and stayed to become an integral part of our country.
Rabuka says he reconfirms his promise to inaugurate the new national holiday in 2023.
He adds for reasons that are unclear, the former government decided to scrap the national holiday marking the life and achievements of our great chief and statesman, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna.
The Prime Minister says they will reinstate Ratu Sukuna Day.
He says the monumental work of this illustrious traditional leader on land reform has had a continuing beneficial effect on the landowners, the economy, the sugar industry, business and investment.
The Government will review the concerns about certain media outlets receiving substantial amounts of public money, apparently in return for favourable, slanted coverage, of the last government in the first 100 days in office.
This was highlighted by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during his first national address while speaking on the work they will do in the first 100 days they get into office.
He says they have a total commitment to media freedom and the part it plays in Fiji’s democracy.
Rabuka says in their Cabinet, the Prime Minister will be the leader and they will let the public know when they are scheduled to meet.
He adds the views of all Ministers will be heard and robust debate is essential for the best outcomes.
The Prime Minister says he will have a briefing for the media after each Cabinet meeting to explain their decisions, accompanied by other Ministers when this is appropriate.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he has asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, about sourcing the funds to settle Fiji’s overdue payment to the University of the South Pacific.
While speaking during his first national address, Rabuka says it is a priority of the coalition Government to restore the “Pacific Way” in fostering trust and understanding within and outside the region.
He says they will keep Fijians updated on this important matter.
He adds he has also cleared the way for the return of the exiled USP Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia.
Rabuka says when Professor Ahluwalia returns from his exile in Samoa, the university’s leader will be where he rightfully belongs in directing the affairs of the USP at the Laucala Campus.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that he will now chair the Pacific Islands Forum, and his first priority in that role will be to engage in the diplomacy required.
By Navitalai Naivalurua
Thursday 29/12/2022
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the idea of love as a mighty force for progress underpins their entire approach to politics and governance.
While speaking during his first national address, Rabuka says we say that love relates to those human virtues that help give a nation moral strength, compassion and unity, and through these values, we will reach true nationhood.
He says in an ethnically and culturally diverse country, love is accepting that differences are part of Fiji’s national identity and that we all belong here.
He adds it is about showing malice towards none, forgiving our enemies, and being considerate neighbours and our neighbours are not just the families next door, but they are everywhere.
The Prime Minister says to rule through love is to stand with the poorest of the poor and help them find new hope.
He says love embraces humility and empathy - the ability to share and understand the feelings of others.
Rabuka says the fear that has haunted Fiji since 2006 is now fading, and soon it will be gone, and love will ensure it never returns.
He further says that he is honour bound to serve the people of Fiji with every fibre of his being.
He calls on all Fijians to unite with him and his parliamentary colleagues so we can journey together free and equal, bound by our deep love for Fiji and our desire for happiness and prosperity.
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