Budget is dependent on the goodwill of our neighbours, frontline workers and cooperation of the public - Jale

SODELPA MP Anare Jale says the 2021/2022 National Budget is entirely dependent on the goodwill of our neighbours who have continued to supply us with vaccines, the dedication of frontline workers and the cooperation of the public.

While responding to Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s budget address, Jale has commended the care and commitment of the Australian and the New Zealand Governments for coming to Fiji’s aid with the provision of vaccines and their medical teams.

Jale says these are the very two Governments that our Prime Minister had treated with contempt in the past.

He also says that a new Government that will replace FijiFirst will be disgusted and overwhelmed with the debt level Fiji has gotten itself into.

Jale says the current debt agreement means that Government is shifting the responsibility for the repayment of the loans to future Governments.

He says Government debt will be 91.6% of the GDP at the end of the 2021/2022 financial year.

Jale says the divestment of state-owned entities is also a major concern.

Jale also says that the Health Minister had previously stated that no one can be forced to take the vaccine but this was later refuted by Prime Minister’s “no jab no job” policy.

He has questioned why unions were not consulted before coming up with this policy.

Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will give his right of reply later this week.