No government anywhere is capable of preparing a budget that gives their people everything they want because our resources are scarce and limited, and the government has to prioritize based on the current needs.
This was the message from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during the 2023/2024 National Budget debate in Parliament.
He says the proposed budget has received quite broad support and acceptance, gauging from the views expressed by the teams that have gone around the country in consultations before and after the national budget address.
Rabuka says there will be criticisms, there will be political rhetoric, and it is the duty of the Opposition members to try and not criticise but see how best they can better the presentation by government and allocations.
The Prime Minister adds this budget is meant to help the country out of the crisis they knew when they came into elections and eventually got a parliamentary vote to be in government.
Rabuka says he had reiterated during his national address that it's critical we must all come together to address the common challenges in rebuilding the nation.
He says there is no doubt that we had to make some hard decisions that will not be pleasant nor easy for some of our own people, but these decisions are deemed necessary for the common good of our citizens and to take the country forward.
Rabuka says structural adjustment policies to improve efficiency and productivity are necessary in order for Fiji to be relevant, adaptable, and to be competitive in the global environment we are in.
He adds that despite the increase in expenditure, the budget is intended to consolidate government finances in the medium term.
