2025/2026 National Budget is short-sighted and debt-heavy - Chand

The 2025/2026 National Budget is short-sighted, debt-heavy, and dangerously out-of-touch with the real needs of the Fijian people.

While opposing the budget, Opposition Member of Parliament Hem Chand strongly criticized it, saying that after its announcement, he consulted extensively with citizens from diverse backgrounds, including farmers, teachers, market vendors, factory workers, taxi drivers, senior citizens, and residents of rural and remote areas.

He says most people are very disappointed and worried, especially about the rising cost of food.

Chand accused the government of prioritizing short-term political gains over addressing Fiji’s fundamental problems.

Chand criticized the government for increasing the national debt by $2.7 billion by mid-2026, raising the total to $11.7 billion.

He says if borrowing continues at the current pace, debt could surpass $12.6 billion by mid-2027, warning that future generations will bear the heavy burden.

Chand also criticized the Coalition Government’s decision to raise the VAT to 15 percent in 2023, saying it was not well thought out and triggered a cost-of-living crisis that has severely impacted Fijians’ livelihoods over the past two and a half years.

He says that while the government has now reduced VAT to 12.5 percent, this move is insufficient and too little, too late.

He adds that returning VAT to the 2022 level of 9.5 percent would have brought meaningful relief, but the government has blatantly disregarded this.

While highlighting issues such as increasing school dropouts, a severe skills gap, poor road infrastructure, irregular rural bus services, and a failing health system, Chand says the budget failed to deliver substantive solutions.

He says it offers temporary handouts and continues an addiction to borrowing.

The Opposition MP also warned that many skilled workers like teachers, nurses, and engineers are still leaving for countries like Australia and New Zealand, and the small pay raise for civil servants won't stop them.

He says this budget does nothing to stop the brain drain or the skills shortage crisis and we are training our best people for other countries while Fiji struggles to retain talent.

He says the government must stop feeding people empty slogans and start delivering genuine, long-term solutions for the people of Fiji.