We do not agree with what the government is bringing to the parliament and must go through the emoluments committee - Usamate

FijiFirst MP, Jone Usamate says they do not agree with the government bringing the motion to reduce the overseas travel allowance and this must go through the Parliamentary Emoluments Committee first to complete the process as it should be done.

He highlighted this while opposing the motion moved by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to reduce the rates payable for overseas travelling allowances for the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Leader of the Opposition and Members of Parliament.

Usamate says if they are reducing the travelling allowance, then they must reduce the salaries too.

He says a few years ago, when Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad used to be the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, he would give off-the-cuff interviews to the press telling them what was happening and that is what he is doing now.

Usamate also says everything the government does is too slow as their processes are not right and they do not know what to do.

He says this is because the people they go to for advice are not giving them the right legal advice.

He says if this was so important, it could have been done in April.