It’s not a panic budget, the panic is from the Opposition – Prof. Prasad

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says this is not a ‘panic budget’, as described by the Leader of the Opposition, but the panic is from the Opposition.

While giving his Right of Reply during the 2025-2026 National Budget debate, Professor Prasad says it is not a ‘panic budget’ for the people, economists, banks, investors, people in the islands, those receiving social welfare, workers, unions, teachers, or civil servants.

He says every corner and every sector of our country has said that this is a very good budget and that is the reason—the panic is not from us or from the people, the panic is from the Opposition.

Professor Prasad says they are worried about the government’s successes over the last two and a half years and about the appreciation that people are showing.

He says there is also a leadership crisis in the Opposition.

He says remnants of the failed FijiFirst Party are panicking and fighting amongst themselves because this budget lays down the foundation for a free, stable, and prosperous Fiji.

The Deputy Prime Minister has also told Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj not to lie about butter prices where he said the price of Rewa Butter went up because the government did something.

Professor Prasad says Fiji Dairy Limited is a small scale processor that imports almost all its raw materials in the form of semi finished butter and Rewa Dairy simply add salt.

He says if the price of butter goes up in New Zealand, even if there is zero VAT or duty, the price goes up.

The Deputy Prime Minister also confirms that the price of 500 grams of butter will come down from $15.93 to $15.58 on the 1st of August because the VAT is going down.

While responding to Opposition MP Parveen Bala's statement, calling it a ‘lollipop’, Professor Prasad says Bala had two weeks to go through the budget and all he could come up with was a ‘lollipop’ to speak against the budget.

He asks is that reflective of an honourable Member of Parliament who has the interest of the people.

Professor Prasad says Bala also talked about guaranteeing sugar price.

He says the previous government only paid a guaranteed cane price of $85 once in 2018 for the 2017 season to win votes, and then shortchanged farmers by around $14 million.

The Deputy Prime Minister says the Coalition Government has since paid $91 and $105 per tonne.

He also called out Opposition MPs for misleading farmers by claiming there will be no guaranteed price.

Professor Prasad adds that it is the duty of Members of Parliament to be truthful and help clarify issues raised by the public.