Motion to remove budget allocation for Fiji International Golf Tournament and Super Rugby game defeated

A motion to remove the $9 million allocation for the Fiji International Golf Tournament and the removal of the hosting of the Super Rugby game of $3.5 million by the Opposition has been defeated in parliament.

While moving the motion of the removal of the $9 million allocation for the Fiji International Golf Tournament in the 2017-2018 budget, Viliame Gavoka said that this is something that Fiji cannot afford as it will not help the tourism industry.

Gavoka says a SODELPA government will remove this tournament.

While supporting the motion, the Leader of NFP Professor Biman Prasad says the tournament has failed to provide any tangible direct benefit to the people.

While responding to the motion, the Minister for Trade and Tourism Faiyaz Koya says now he knows that there are only three people in Fiji that are anti-golf who are Gavoka, Professor Prasad and Aseri Radrodro who really do not understand tourism.

While moving the motion of removal of the hosting of Super Rugby game of $3.5 million, Gavoka says this is $3.5 million of tax payers funds that could be better utilised.

Minister for Economy and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum says having these senior teams coming to Fiji will demonstrate that we have the capacity and the facility to host a leg of the 7s series.