Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya has questioned why the government has imposed a 5 percent Tourism Service Tax on the tourism sector to support another industry.
While opposing the 2026/2027 National Budget, Koya says there are other ways the government could address the issue, and that meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders would help.
Insert: Koya on why tax tourism – 15 July 2026
He further says transparent communication, proper planning and genuine consultation with all stakeholders, including landowners, farmers and institutions such as the iTaukei Land Trust Board (iTLTB), are essential to rebuild trust and secure long-term land arrangements and investment stability across all sectors, whether tourism or sugar.
He also called on Parliamentarians to show respect to the sugar industry as it was once a cornerstone of the economy.
Koya says there are budgets that simply manage governments, and there are budgets that change the course of a nation.
He says the true measure of a national budget is not how much it spends, how many announcements it contains, or how loudly it is applauded on Budget Day.
Instead, he says it should be judged on whether it leaves the nation more prosperous than it found it.
He adds that a successful budget should create opportunities where there was once uncertainty, inspire confidence where there was once hesitation, and expand the productive capacity of the economy so future generations inherit greater opportunity rather than greater obligation.
Koya says the challenges facing the country are significant, and believes this budget is ultimately disappointing because it lacks both good intentions and a coherent strategy to transform the productive capacity of the Fijian economy.
