Debate on parliamentarians’ pay increase has already happened – DPM Prasad

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says the debate on the parliamentarians’ pay increase has already happened, and after 15 to 16 years of dictatorship people are free to articulate, advocate, and to criticise government on some of its approaches and policies and the Emoluments Act is part of that.

In a letter to Professor Prasad, the Fiscal Review Committee is calling for an independent consultation and public review for the parliamentarians’ pay increase.

When questioned by fijivillage News, Professor Prasad says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has said that they welcome people’s views on some of these important government policies and decisions.

When asked on the $8.1 million that the Prime Minister has said that Professor Prasad needs to assess and get back, Professor Prasad says right now all of this will be part of the budget discussions.