$1,000 given to new mothers will continue to further increase the national debt - Lalabalavu

SODELPA MP, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has told parliament that the $1,000 given to new mothers will continue to further increase the national debt in the long run.

While speaking during the parliamentary debate on the 2018/2019 National Budget, Lalabalavu says that there are other viable policy options that are transparent, healing and sustainable in the long term that will heal families more than the $1,000 to be given by the government for all new born babies. 

Lalabalavu says that it would be practical to consider extending and increasing the child rebate on income tax to $1,500.

Lalabalavu also says that for the civil servants especially teachers, job security is their main concern.

While talking on the rights of the iTaukei under international treaties, Lalabalavu says that these rights are not discriminating against anyone.

He then said that the Attorney General has admitted in parliament on May 15th this year that the Momi Bay Land swap was legally correct.

We will speak to Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum later today as he had earlier said that the iTaukei land swaps were previously allowed under the SVT and SDL governments however under the 2013 constitution, no iTaukei land can ever be permanently alienated.

Meanwhile Lalabalavu also told parliament that the people of Fiji are still subject to decrees forced on them by an ‘elected interim government’.

He says that the well being and good governance of the iTaukei people cannot be left to the Provincial, Tikina nor the Village councils which are institutions that are provided with a grant from the i-Taukei Affairs.

Lalabalavu says that in this case, the Great Council of Chiefs must be reinstated and SODELPA is committed to restoring it when they come into power.