We Say: Fiji’s budget a test of unity
In the leadup to the coalition government’s 2023-2024 budget, citizens were warned by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Finance Minister Biman Prasad, the Fiscal Review Committee and international financial institutions
Heart of the spirit: Aboard the Uto ni Yalo
When the Uto ni Yalo docks on any wharf, it demands attention; its double-hull and magnificent traditional design set it proudly apart from modern boats. Wherever this siren of the sea goes, you can’t help but be
Not Too Late: Thelma Young-Lutunatabua
Not Too Late is the name, and the message of a new book edited by a woman with strong Fiji connections, for people concerned about climate change. Thelma Young-Lutunatabua and her collaborator, Rebecca Solnit, wrote the
Science and data for ocean prosperity
The Blue Prosperity expedition programme to collect data on ocean health in Fiji is already showing very mixed results at different sites. The programme is a collaborative effort led by the Fiji government and supported
Values, flexibility and digitisation
Global HR trends and the Pacific Global trends in human resources and recruitment include a greater focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts, recruiting for skills and adaptability (not just formal
Pacific labour mobility: Weaving Fiji-Marshallese links
After six years in the Marshall Islands, Fijian Verenaisi Bavadra says, “I feel to have contributed to the development of education in the Marshall Islands in my own little field.” The Library Director at College of
Australia appoints first special envoy for the Pacific
A new special envoy role will help Australia strengthen its already strong bond with the Pacific, the federal government says. Ewen McDonald, a senior foreign affairs department official, will take on the inaugural role
Fiji Budget 2023-2024: A wrap
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, today presented a deficit budget in Fiji’s parliament. With a projected revenue of $3.7 billion, and expenditure of $4.3 billion, the
Fiji Budget: Reactions from the House
While the formal budget debate on the budget in Parliament commences on July 10, some MPS and stakeholders have given their initial responses to the Budget. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the budget is “the
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
CSOs raise concerns over proposed tax hikes, retirement funds
On the eve of the first budget of Fiji’s coalition government, civil society organisations say they are disappointed with World Bank recommendations to phase out support for the sugar sector and increase taxation.
Illegal narcotics and meth use among youths a concern in Fiji
When Fiji’s Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua pointed out last year that the use and distribution of hard drugs had spiraled out of control and was a far bigger disaster than climate change, he was not
France not seeking to ‘fuel competition’ in region
France’s Ambassador for the Indo-Pacific says the Indo-Pacific Strategy should not fuel further strategic competition in the region. During a recent visit to Fiji, Ambassador Marc Abensour said while there is great
Japan’s decision to discharge radioactive waste water into Pacific ‘unconscionable’
Japan’s plan to discharge radioactive waste water into the Pacific has been described by Acting Forum Secretary General Dr Filimon Manoni ‘unconscionable’. Dr Manoni made the remarks at the World Ocean Day
Solomon Islands and Fiji to enter bilateral security agreement
Solomon Islands will soon engage in a bilateral security agreement with the Republic of Fiji as part of efforts to fill the gaps in its security space. The Framework would allow the country to broaden and enhance its
Cassie Siataga inspires Samoa to first Oceania crown
Cassie Siataga held her nerve to kick Samoa to a dramatic 19-18 victory against Fiji that secured a first ever Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship title and their place in WXV 2. Following an epic decider on
Futsal the perfect tool for aspiring footballers: Roy Krishna
Roy Krishna was back in Fiji recently, helping promote futsal and its benefits for young football
Fiji appoints 11 new Permanent Secretaries
Eleven new permanent secretaries have been officially appointed by Luke Rokovada, Chair of the Fiji Public Service Commission. Dr Andrew Tukana, who has been appointed Permanent Secretary Agriculture and
Kalekana Powerpuff Kids’ Club: Improving the lives of young Fijians
Like many of Fiji’s informal communities and settlements, when many people hear the name ‘Kalekana’, they associate it with drugs, crime and poverty. Yet, a group of dedicated youths are working on
ASPA’s new broom
But regional airline challenges remain David Tohi is a new broom at the Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA). While he takes over from Fiji’s George Faktaufon, who spent more than 30 years as ASPA Chief