Without the VAT increase, they could not pay for increased welfare allowances, for better health care and could not bring down the Government debt that stands in the way of the greater social spending that is needed, according to Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran.
While speaking in support of the 2024-2025 National Budget in Parliament, Kiran says they know people are struggling and find it hard to understand why VAT had to increase.
She says on the cost of living issue, they can only control prices so far and as the Minister of Finance has said, they must focus on increasing incomes.
She says she welcomes the increase in the minimum wage and the overdue increments for civil servants.
Kiran also highlighted that $230,000 has been allocated for Vunirewa Bible School, which the Methodist Church of Fiji has kindly provided for the Government to use as a location for the much-needed rehabilitation centre for the vulnerable children dwelling on our streets.
Kiran further says that in 2012, the National Council of Older Persons Act was approved and in 2013, the Council was appointed, however, no resources were allocated to help with the functioning of the Council.
She says they are currently working on recruiting the relevant personnel to help in establishing the Council to perform the roles and responsibilities already determined and they are also establishing District Committees for Older Persons.
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