7 December, 2025, 11:55 am Central - 24°C Rain

The party cost $12,000, we had to use it or lose it from the PM’s entertainment budget - PM

The party cost $12,000, we had to use it or lose it from the PM’s entertainment budget - PM

By Vijay Narayan , Alipate Narawa
05/08/2024

Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka has today said that the Grand Pacific Hotel party hosted for his cabinet ministers and their spouses came from public funds totaling $12,000, and they had to use it or lose it as the budget year was wrapping up last week.

While responding to questions raised by fijivillage News after former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry asked Rabuka why they needed to have such a party, the Prime Minister says it was a team bonding exercise and they had to utilize the funds from the Prime Minister’s Entertainment budget.

Mahendra Chaudhry asked Prime Minister Rabuka why he had the lavish party at Grand Pacific Hotel for his Cabinet ministers and their spouses when almost half of the people in the country are barely able to put one decent meal on the table for their families.

Chaudhry has asked who paid for this expensive extravaganza.

He says it’s the first time in Fiji’s 54 years of independence that we have ever heard of a Prime Minister entertaining his Cabinet to a grand party to thank them for their “good work” as ministers.

Chaudhry asks isn’t this sickening evidence of a Coalition of ministers who are all about enriching themselves, throwing lavish parties to entertain themselves, and simply having a grand time laced with numerous overseas junkets.

He asks where did the money come from as the nation cannot even afford to pay a minimum wage of $5 an hour to our lowest-paid workers.

FEATURE NEWS
Flash flood alert issued for Navua, Suva, Nausori to Tailevu North and Ovalau, Kadavu, and Southern Vanua Levu
A flash flood alert remains in force for the Southern and Central Eastern Division from Navua, Suva, Nausori to Tailevu North and Ovalau, Kadavu, and ...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
As Christmas lights return to Bethlehem, Palestinians look for hope
A giant Christmas tree adorned with red and gold baubles stands in the West Bank city of Bethlehem for the first time since 2022.The Palestinian ...
35 minutes ago

Woman found dead in Lautoka park identified
The body of the woman who was found motionless on Friday night at a Park in Lautoka, has been identified by the family. Police say the woman is ...
48 minutes ago

Villagers in Tailevu stranded after Driti Bridge collapses due to heavy rain
Villagers from Naveilolo, Delakado, Vorovoro, Natadrave, and Nakoroni in Tailevu were unable to cross the Nailawa Bridge this morning after it ...
49 minutes ago

Police officer injured after attempting to stop truck driver in Labasa Town
A police officer has been injured while Land Transport Authority and Police were conducting an operation in Labasa Town last night. Eyewitnesses say ...
59 minutes ago

US parks to charge fees on MLK Day and Juneteenth under Trump’s new rules
The US National Park Service is removing Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth from its list of fee-free entrance days. The move is part of ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Law Society Convention 2025
There is a constant struggle that we seem to have in Fiji with upholding and respecting the rule of law, and in my view, I think it starts at the ...
2 days ago

Tribunal case of suspended Commissioner of Corrections Dr Nakarawa
Tribunal proceedings for suspended Corrections Commissioner Dr Nakarawa are underway, focusing on allegations of misbehaviour during his tenure as ...
2 days ago

Inspire Pacific Founder Ben Morrison and Peer Mentor Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Pastor Ben Morrison and Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan as they discuss Inspire Pacific’s specialised ...
3 days ago

TOP