Filimoni Vosarogo (left), Jone Usamate (right) [Source: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji/Facebook]

Minister for Lands Filimoni Vosarogo has hit back at criticism over the size of government, saying the real focus should be on building strong institutions.

This comes after Independent MP Jone Usamate raised concerns in Parliament, arguing that Fiji’s 38 Ministers and Assistant Ministers are too many for a population under one million.

He says the large executive is inefficient and the money spent on it could be better used to improve services for ordinary Fijians.

Fiji’s Cabinet currently includes 23 Ministers and 15 Assistant Ministers.

“We have seen failed political candidates being elevated to positions that should have gone to those who have the competencies and untainted by politics. This has meant that we have had the wrong people running departments leading to disastrous results, which in turn has had a devastating impact on those who spent their lives working up through the ranks of the civil service.”

Usamate compared Fiji’s cabinet size to other neighboring countries, saying New Zealand has 20 ministers for over 5 million people, Australia has 23 for 26 million, yet Fiji, with just 900,000 people, has 23 ministers.

The Independent MP also raised alarm over what he describes as the increasing politicization of the civil service and appointments based on political loyalty.

He says this trend undermines the professionalism, neutrality, and effectiveness of public institutions.

Usamate says while politicians come and go, institutions must remain strong, inclusive, and accountable to uphold democracy and the rule of law.

He also criticised the use of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in past coups, saying it has caused long-term harm to the country.

Usamate pointed to the 1987 and 2006 coups, saying they damaged Fiji’s international image and economy and affected generations of Fijians.

He says the military should never be used in this way again.

Usamate further claims that the current government lacks efficiency, and most of its work over the past two years has simply continued projects started by the previous government.

In response, Vosarogo, described Usamate’s claims as part of a ‘desperate’ political strategy saying maintaining good systems is not just about reducing numbers but making sure people, resources, and leadership are working well to serve the public.

“The need for ensuring and maintaining institutional effectiveness. That’s what this side of the house is doing. That’s what this side of the house is going to protect. We also are in agreement that it is not a one-dimensional concept. There must be first an institutional concept that defines the reason of that institution’s existence.”

Voasarogo says institutional success depends not only on its mission and goals but also on the leadership that drives those objectives.

Vosarogo also reminded Usamate of actions taken by the FijiFirst Government, which he says weakened public institutions.

He pointed to incidents where people were removed when decisions didn’t go the government’s way.

Vosarogo mentioned the removal of the Bureau of Statistics CEO, Kemueli Naiqama, in 2021, saying it was because the then Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, did not agree with the methodology and release of the poverty baseline report.

Vosarogo adds that Usamate should not act as if he is above reproach, especially when the past government made similar or worse decisions.

He highlighted the case of the former Solicitor General, who was suspended for not winning a case — one which Vosarogo says most senior lawyers knew was unwinnable from the start.

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