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The budget focuses more on low priority areas: Gavoka

June 17, 2019 4:20 pm

Opposition member Viliame Gavoka claims the 2019/2020 national budget focuses more on low priority areas.

In parliament this afternoon, Gavoka says billions of dollars have been spent by the government, however, there are loopholes remaining.

He says the current government needs to set its priorities right by addressing the needs of ordinary Fijians first.

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“The $45million spent on Natadola for golf, and right next door on the same peninsula only 2km away are the villagers of Vusama which still don’t have running water and the same can be said for the villages in Natadola and Yako, still having huge problems with water and you spent $45m for golf and for what? What will it bring to us?”

Gavoka also questioned the government’s support of $18m to our National Carrier.

“Fiji Airways is a billion dollar company, why is the taxpayers of Fiji support the marketing of a billion dollar company, can someone explain that to me. I’m highlighting here speaker the low priority spending that has been the hallmark of Fiji First government all this while.”

The MP claims the direct tax of the new fiscal year stands at $800million whereas, the indirect tax stands at $200billion.

This he says will greatly affect people living at the grassroots level.

Meanwhile, Economy Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will make his right of reply this week.