Over $23,000 tax payers money used for Qarase’s evacuation

Over $23 thousand dollars of tax payers money was used when the SDL government initiated evacuation plans for ousted Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, after the takeover that happened on December 6th 2006.

A Special Investigation report compiled by the Auditor General highlights that a total of $23,108 in costs were incurred for the safety of Qarase between November and early December, 2006 all without the issue of purchase orders.

The money was used to pay for accommodation for Qarase and his support staff at the Shangri La Resort and Namale Resort, for chartered flights to Savusavu and Vanuabalavu and for the hiring of rental cars between November 31st and December 6th.

The report also said that before leaving for Vanuabalavu on December 6th, Qarase used an additional $1313 to purchase grocery to take with him.

The Auditor General also reveals that there is no documentary evidence that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Police Special Branch had provided advice to Qarase which resulted in the evacuation of the ousted PM.

The audit team was not able to obtain intelligence reports to be able to verify if such an assessment was made. It also said that there are no cabinet decisions on evacuation arrangements for the PM in time of crisis.

However, the report recommends that former CEO at the Prime Minister's Office, Joji Kotobalavu be surcharged for the cost of the groceries.

However, in defense Kotobalavu states in the Audit report that the expenses were urgent and necessary given the circumstances at the time and unfortunately at the time it was not practically possible to await the approval of LPO's.

The former CEO has suggested that depending on the outcome of the SDL's case regarding the legality of December 5th takeover, the owed amount could be retrieved through deductions from Qarase's pension which he would be entitled to.