Former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament Professor Biman Prasad has challenged the Opposition to explain where it would cut $1 billion in government expenditure after repeatedly calling for spending to be reduced by that amount.
Speaking in support of the 2026/2027 National Budget, Professor Prasad says the Opposition should recognise that Fiji is operating in the midst of a challenging global economic environment.
Insert: Prof. Prasad on where – 15 July 2026
Professor Prasad says there was also a suggestion that the government should revalue the Fiji dollar, describing it as the "weirdest" proposal he has ever heard from an economist when assessing a national budget.
He says when a government inherits significant challenges, it takes time to address them, adding that four years is not enough to undo years of accumulated problems.
Speaking on the sugar industry, Professor Prasad reminded Parliament that the industry's decline began in 2007.
He says sugar production has fallen from around 310,000 tonnes, while the number of growers has declined from about 18,000 to fewer than 12,000.
He attributes the decline to the dismantling of key sugar industry institutions, weakened governance and monitoring mechanisms, and the loss of $350 million in European Union funding that was intended to help restructure the industry.
The former Finance Minister says it is the current government that restored the Parliamentary Sugar Committee, which has been conducting consultations around the country to address the concerns of sugarcane farmers.
He also says many farmers have rejected calls for a boycott by what he described as a politician seeking to revive his political fortunes in the sugar belt.
Professor Prasad says sugarcane farmers have already begun harvesting their cane.
He adds that the Parliamentary Sugar Committee, which also includes Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu and Opposition MP Praveen Bala, will travel to the North to meet with farmers and other stakeholders.
Professor Prasad says the government will consider providing further assistance where necessary and where it is able to support sugarcane farmers.
