Opposition Leader, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has classified the 2022/2023 National Budget and the Revised Budget earlier this year as smoke-screens as he says the budget presentations have been designed to disguise the real intention.
He says the fact is that everything is not rosy.
Ratu Naiqama says reduction of VAT on 21 items will not only benefit the poor but the rich as well.
He says at the same time, the increase of VAT on items such as footwear and textiles will make it difficult for an average citizen to buy such basic necessities.
While opposing the National Budget, Ratu Naiqama says the government continues with its unsustainable borrowing spree to finance government expenditure, particularly operating expenditure.
He says our focus should be on sustainable use of resources especially our resource based sectors.
Ratu Naiqama says it is unfortunate that more and more of our people are facing hardships and are falling below the poverty threshold.
He adds it unlikely we will achieve the 12.4 percent economic growth projection because of the challenges due to the increase in fossil fuel prices with the corresponding increase to the cost of travel, high risk of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and monkey-pox.
Ratu Naiqama says the “Bula Boom” catch phrase is very doubtful.
He then said it is unfortunate the Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum spent more than 60 percent of the budget address in giving a lecture and campaigning to the people of Fiji.
He says this is an electioneering budget to buy votes.
Ratu Naiqama has also questioned whether Sayed-Khaiyum conducted genuine budget consultations or was it campaigning for election.
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