Fiji Budget: ‘It’s a tough but fair budget’ says Finance Minister
Presenting government’s Fiji Budget 2023-2024 to parliament this morning, Finance Minister Biman Prasad said the fiscal deficit of $639 million dollars was “higher than I personally wanted.” Prasad said
Fiji budget: Education, health get budget boosts
The Fiji government budget 2023-2024 presented today has prioritised spending on education and health. Education The education sector has been allocated $768.9 million with $505.4 million to the Ministry of
Fiji Budget: Increasing revenue, simplifying tax
The 2023/2024 Budget, which is themed ‘Rebuilding our future together’, is focused on reducing debt to sustainable levels, promoting private sector economic rejuvenation and taking care of the low income and
Fiji Budget: A focus on debt sustainability
The drive to reducing Fiji’s debt underpins many of the measures included in the 2023-2024 Fiji budget, with the coalition government hoping to bring it down to 79% of GDP by July 2024. Government debt is projected to
Drua scrape home against Moana Pasifika
The Fijian Drua narrowly escaped a strong challenge from Moana Pasifika at Churchill Park in Lautoka this weekend to get home 47 – 46. It was the Moana Pasifika team’s first visit to Fiji, and they started with
Typhoon Mawar moves towards Guam
Guam: The track of Typhoon Mawar has shifted slightly to the south, with the eye expected to pass over the southern part of Guam this afternoon reports the Pacific Daily News. At 9am local time today, Guam was
Opinion: The United States has a problem with systems, not summits
US President Joe Biden has hit the headlines after pulling out of a three-hour summit with Pacific leaders in Port Moresby. But the furore over Biden’s no-show overshadows a more serious problem. The Biden
Great Council of Chiefs meet on Wednesday
The iTaukei Trust Fund has spent FJ$286,000 to prepare for the two-day Great Council of Chiefs meeting which begins in Bau on Wednesday. Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, said, “The iTaukei Trust Fund
Fijiana rugby goes down to Wallaroos
The Fijiana 15s side went down 22-5 against the Australia Wallaroos at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney last night. While halfback, Evivi Senikarivi made a few clean line-breaks to spark the attack for the Fijiana, passes
Loughman withdraws motion of no confidence against Vanuatu PM
In Vanuatu, the Leader of the Opposition, Bob Loughman, withdrew his motion of no confidence against Prime Minister, Ishmael Kalsakau yesterday. The Vanuatu Daily Post reports that Loughman told parliament that the
Palau calls for halt on seabed mining until 2030
Palau President Surangel Whipps Junior said he wanted the seabed mining practice temporarily suspended until at least 2030. “The ocean for us is life. We depend on it for sustenance, we depend on it for our economy
Opinion: China-here, there and everywhere
The end of the compact negotiations between Ambassador Joseph Yun and the freely associated states is only 50% of the struggle to completion. The remainder is in the U.S Congress and dealing with the proposed
FLNKS joins bilateral talks in Paris
A delegation from the Kanak independence movement Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) travels to Paris this week, for discussions with the French government on New Caledonia’s political status.
Seruiratu is new Fiji Opposition leader
Fiji’s new Opposition leader, Inia Seruiratu, has vowed that he will do his best to serve the people of Fiji. “I’m indeed honoured and privileged for this opportunity,” he said. “I’m here to serve all
Hegarty kicks Force to win over Moana Pasifika
Thirteen-man Western Force have scored a penalty after the final siren to secure a remarkable 21-18 win over Moana Pasifika at HBF Park. Scores were level at 18-18 in Saturday night’s match when the Force had
Fijian Drua stun Crusaders in Super Rugby boilover
Fijian Drua recorded the biggest win of their two seasons in Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday with a stunning 25-24 upset of the reigning champion Canterbury Crusaders in front of a passionate home crowd in Lautoka.
MSG Secretariat looks to China
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat is considering engaging China for cooperation on security, its secretariat says. Following a meeting between the Chinese Special Envoy to the Pacific, Qian Bo and the
Moetai Brotherson seeks presidency in French Polynesia
Moetai Brotherson of the independence party Tavini Huira’atira no Te Ao Ma’ohi has announced he will run for the Presidency of French Polynesia. The post is currently held by President Edouard Fritch of the Tapura
Former Fiji PM, suspended police commissioner in court tomorrow
Yesterday Fiji’s former prime minister of 16 years, Voreqe Bainimarama, resigned from parliament. Today he and suspended police commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho were charged with abuse of office. And tomorrow, after
Kiribati returns to Forum, Nauru’s Waqa next Secretary General
Pacific leaders prayed together, ate together and by the end of a long retreat today, saw Kiribati’s full return to the Pacific Islands Forum and a much larger role for its Micronesian members. Former Nauru President
Bainimarama suspended from Fiji parliament for 3 years
Fiji’s Opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has been suspended from parliament for three years, effective immediately. After a long day of parliamentary debate, 27 MPs voted in favor of the
USP welcomes home Vice Chancellor with prayers, standing ovations…and soon, FJ$10million
The two-year exile of the University of the South Pacific’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia from the university’s Suva campus ended with a thanksgiving ceremony last night. Professor Ahluwalia told regional
Fiji cabinet wrap: Kiribati relations, MSG sports, NZ defence cooperation and local elections
Bilateral relations with Kiribati was one of the key issues discussed by Fiji cabinet ministers in their meeting this week, including deeper cooperation on fisheries. Fiji Prime Minister noted: “Kiribati is also
