Fiji’s Parliament has overwhelmingly passed the 2025–2026 National Budget in a 36–12 vote, endorsing what Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Prof. Biman Prasad calls a “people-centred budget” focused on “stability, investment, and long-term growth.”
Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko congratulated Prof. Prasad and the House, stating, “I previously highlighted this week, long deliberation stands as a cornerstone of our constitutional duty, ensuring transparency, accountability and sound national planning…”
“I extend my sincere appreciation to all the honourable members for your thoughtful engagement… Let me also offer my warm congratulations to… honourable Professor Biman Prasad for the successful adoption of the budget.”
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also moved a motion to establish a Special Committee on the Sugar Industry—a key move drawn from the budget address. He said the motion was a “deliberate effort to protect the livelihoods of thousands of Fijians, restore confidence in the sector, and secure its long-term sustainability.”
Prof. Prasad described the FJ$4.8 billion package (approx. US$2 billion) as one that “puts people first and builds a stronger, fairer Fiji for all”: “We’ve listened, we’ve acted, and we remain committed to building a stronger, fairer Fiji for all,” he said in his Right of Reply.
“When we came into office we were in a precarious economic crossroad… our first priority was to restore macroeconomic stability, rebuild trust in policymaking institutions, and chart a path towards sustainable and inclusive growth.”
The budget includes:
- A FJ$800 million cost-of-living package
- VAT reduction from 15% to 12.5%
- Import duty cuts on essentials (e.g., chicken, frozen fish)
- 10% public bus fare subsidy
- 3% pay rise for civil servants (starting August)
- FJ$847m for education, FJ$611.6m for health, and FJ$388m for roads
Despite the glowing endorsements from government benches, opposition MPs attacked the budget for its growing deficit and perceived political motivations.
Hem Chand said the public remains “very disappointed and worried, especially about the rising cost of food,” arguing the budget prioritises short-term political gains over real reform.
He warned national debt could balloon to FJ$12.6 billion by mid-2027 and labelled the VAT reduction “too little, too late”: “The government must stop feeding people empty slogans and start delivering genuine, long-term solutions for the people of Fiji,” said Chand, adding the budget “does nothing to stop the brain drain.”
However, government backbencher Lynda Tabuya defended the measures, framing them as part of the fight against poverty.
“The meaningful changes by this budget are baby steps… out of poverty into productivity, out of welfare into well-being.”
She highlighted increased welfare allowances, expanded back-to-school assistance, the $10 million HIV response, and a drug rehabilitation centre, adding:
“The people will appreciate the increase in police presence… and the continuation in allocation to the National Action Plan to Prevent Gender-Based Violence.”
Meanwhile, Minister for Lands Filimoni Vosarogo praised the increased budget allocation for his ministry, calling it
“a people-centric budget focused on security, stability, and prosperity.”
In response to Opposition accusations that this is a “panic budget,” Prof. Prasad fired back:
“It is not a ‘panic budget’ for the people, economists, banks, investors, people in the islands… the panic is from the Opposition.”
He accused the FijiFirst remnants of “panicking and fighting amongst themselves” as the budget lays “the foundation for a free, stable, and prosperous Fiji.”
The budget’s passage marks a critical step for the Coalition Government as it heads toward the 2026 election, amid a divided political climate and an economy facing both global uncertainty and local expectations.
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