Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has dismissed statements by Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry on Radio NZ that the increase in Value Added Tax in the budget on Friday is a devastating blow to the poor, and the low and medium income earners.
Chaudhry also told the NZ media that once again people are being made to pay the price for indiscriminate government borrowings.
Sayed-Khaiyum said the statements are misguided as there are record targeted assistance programs for the unfortunate in the budget.
He also said that people should not forget the 9% reduction in the prices of many food items through the Commerce Commission’s price determination.
He said the fundamentals of the economy and financial systems are now being put right.
Sayed-Khaiyum believes political parties like the Fiji Labour Party are just trying to use the issue as a political point scoring exercise.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
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AG dismisses claims by Chaudhry