Pillay says it's a candy budget - looks sweet and sounds generous, but once it's spent, nothing is left

This is not a developed budget it is a destructive one that is built not to improve everyday life, but to give with one hand and take back with the other

This is raised by Opposition MP, Viam Pillay while opposing the 2025-2026 National Budget.

Pillay strongly criticised the VAT increase from 9% to 15% previously, which is now reduced to 12.5%, and called the reduction a backpedal not real tax reform.

He says consumers are still paying high prices while businesses benefit, and described the government’s approach as forced trickle-down economics.

Pillay adds the sugar industry crisis in Fiji is a concern for cane farmers, in areas like Seaqaqa, Labasa, and the west with land lease insecurity.

He says the current lease premium assistance is $978,200, which is insufficient and not guaranteed beyond this year.

Pillay highlights that more than $85 per tonne cane price is not legislated and what farmers want is certainty, not political promises.

Pillay says the Ministry of Multi Ethnic Affairs is not provided with sufficient funding whereas the budget allocation of $6.9 million is too small to meaningfully support multi-ethnic communities and lack of dedicated funding for religious site protection, trauma recovery, or interfaith dialogue in reference to the Samabula Shiv Mandir incident.

He raises concerns about the cost of living and infrastructure failures in blaming the government for offering cosmetic fixes instead of real services in high food prices, under-stocked clinics, water shortages, and crumbling roads that remain unaddressed.

Pillay calls for discipline, direction, and delivery in spending and he accuses the government of reckless borrowing without results, especially with the $886 million projected deficit - the largest shortfall in Fiji’s history.

Pillay also says many senior citizens are quietly pushed out of benefit programs due to losing support and tighter eligibility rules.