Those who probably find it difficult to pay that percentage of taxes are not paying taxes – PM

Those who probably find it difficult to pay that percentage of taxes are not paying taxes – PM

By Naveel Krishant , Rashika Kumar
Wednesday 15/03/2023
[Photo: Fijian Government]

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says there is a tax threshold so those who are probably finding it difficult to pay that percentage of taxes are not paying taxes.

He highlighted the following concerns raised by Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry on remarks made by Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad that tax increases are “inevitable”.

Chaudhry says this is quite disturbing as any increase in taxes, more so an increase in VAT and customs duty will hit hard the lower to middle-income families as it will push up prices.

He says as things stand, poor and low-income families simply do not have the capacity to sustain any further increases in the cost of living.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad had said the Fiscal Review Committee’s task is to examine the overall setting of government fiscal policy and make recommendations on how to re-balance government revenue and spending, grow the economy and ensure government is fiscally sustainable over the next decade.

He says without significant changes to government finances, debt to GDP ratio will approach nearly 100 percent in 10 years time.

Professor Prasad says they have to find billions of dollars to invest in health, water, road, climate adaptation, energy and housing.



Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ratu Sukuna Celebrations 2023
People turned out in numbers to be part of the Ratu Sukuna Day celebrations, which began with a march from the Flea Market to Albert ...
3 days ago

Girmit Celebrations 2023
The Girmit story isn’t a story confined to one community in Fiji, it is a story that belongs to all of us. This was highlighted by the National ...
15 days ago

Fiscal Review Commitee members, Richard Naidu and Vani Catanasiga appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiscal Review Committee chair, Richard Naidu and senior member, Vani Catanasiga appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan to discuss ...
17 days ago
FEATURE NEWS
Drua bows out of Super Rugby Pacific after 49-8 defeat to Crusaders
The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua went down 49-8 against defending Shop N Save Super Rugby champion, the Crusaders in Christchurch tonight. The Crusad...
6 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
14 women undergo training on promoting gender equality and human rights
14 feminists, activists, human rights defenders, community trainers, legal practitioners and counsellors from six Pacific Small Islands Developing ...
7 hours ago

Huge turn out for the Roadside Campaign- Deo
More than 400 people including students lined up from Koronivia Road Junction to the Rewa Bridge, along the Kings Highway for the Roadside Campaign ...
7 hours ago

Students conducting awareness campaigns about the Blue water spaces being connected - Nanovu
They have been part of the Ocean Alliance organising the activities for the week with the march and the International School Suva was a big part of ...
7 hours ago

FNU present soli, matanigasau and a thanksgiving protocol to the President
The Fiji National University carried out three iTaukei traditional protocols to President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere at the State House to show their ...
9 hours ago

No change to taxi fare after lackluster response from the industry – FCCC
The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission says there are currently no changes to taxi fares due to a lack of financial information provided by ...
9 hours ago

TOP