FijiFirst MP Jone Usamate says this is a budget made on false promises and will lead the country in the wrong direction because there is nothing in this budget that will build a better Fiji.
While debating on the 2023-2024 National Budget, Usamate says this is a pro-rich budget and shows that the government does not care about the people whereas, the FijiFirst budget was all about growth.
He says he wants the coalition government to do well so that they can do better and make a difference in the lives of the people.
Usamate says the legacy of the FijiFirst is to make lives better and grow.
The Opposition MP further says the coalition government's budget is a microwave as there is nothing new, innovative and new thinking but are all the initiatives of the FijiFirst government.
He says the FijiFirst has given the Coalition government a revived Fiji whereby during COVID-19 the taxes and government revenue declined by 50% yet, they had to maintain the expenditure, deficit ratios were going down, bought Fiji successfully from COVID-19 through strong, decisive leadership and made sure that the tourism sector was doing well and tourism arrivals being same or above the pre-pandemic levels.
Usamate says in his very first budget the coalition government has increased the VAT.
He says this budget will increase company tax in all other areas as well.
Usamate further says we also have some struggling sectors in Fiji such as the fisheries and the garment industries.
