Decision making machinery of govt will put in place checks and balances - PM

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated that Cabinet reviewed the decision making machinery of Government while the objective is to improve the coordination and facilitate effective implementation of Government development agenda within the framework of the People’s Coalition Government.

Rabuka says the decision making machinery is to be adopted by the People’s Coalition Government and will put into place checks and balances to ensure inclusiveness, coordination, consistency, transparency, and accountability in their decision making.

He also says two Cabinet Subcommittees, the Economic Strategy Committee and the Cabinet Subcommittee on the budget will be established.

The Prime Minister adds the Development Subcommittee of Permanent Secretaries will also be reactivated.

He says the Economic Strategy Committee will be chaired by the Prime Minister, and its members include the three Deputy Prime Ministers, and the Committee will deliberate on emerging economic policy matters, and provide guidance on the formulation of the Strategic Development Plan for the next four years.

Rabuka says new investment proposals that substantively require Cabinet approval will be deliberated on at the Economic Strategy Committee prior to Cabinet.

He further says other Cabinet Ministers will be co-opted on a needs basis particularly on the areas covering their respective portfolios.

The Prime Minister also says to better align key decisions made at Cabinet level, the Prime Minister will also chair the Cabinet Subcommittee on Budget. He says the membership of the CSB will include the three Deputy Prime Ministers.

Rabuka says other Cabinet Ministers, the Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service and other officials, will be co-opted as the need arises.

He also says Cabinet also agreed to reactivate the Development Subcommittee of Permanent Secretaries.

The Prime Minister adds the DSC is a forum whereby the Permanent Secretaries deliberate on matters concerning government conduct and issues that govern the Government machinery.

He says this will allow Permanent Secretaries to be well informed of new policy initiatives, ease coordination, and provide clarity on the workings of the Government machinery.

Rabuka adds the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office will be chairing the DSC.

He also adds the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of the Civil Service will work closely with the Office of the Prime Minister on the effective implementation of the Decision-Making Machinery apparatus of Government.