MP Waqanika: Blame of COVID deaths in Fiji squarely falls on Government

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MP Tanya Waqanika . Picture: RAMA/FT FILE

The Fijian Government has diverted the blame of deaths on people refusing to be vaccinated, when the blame squarely fell on them for not taking heed of wise counsel.

SODELPA MP Tanya Waqanika said this while contributing to the 2021-2022 National Budget in Parliament, which she said was completely reliant on a vaccination campaign that hoped to open up the borders.

“Let me remind everyone here about the lofty speeches made by this Government when it ruled us by decree and categorised every one of us as ‘Fijians’,” Ms Waqanika said.

“Sadly, they further divide our country into camps of the vaccinated and the unvaccinated, which is divisive, unethical and immoral.

“This Government has diverted the blame of deaths on people refusing to be vaccinated – when the blame squarely falls on them for not taking heed of wise counsel.

“This Government simply does not know its people.

“Our frontliners, especially our MOH staff, are overwhelmed and tired.

“The deaths of those succumbing to this virus are on the hands of each and every FijiFirst MP.

“Some of you had the opportunity to speak up as watchmen but you failed to do so. You share responsibility for the deaths of our people.”

Referring to the Health and Safety at Work (HSW) General Workplace Conditions (Amendment) regulations 2021, she said the budget only had incentives for those vaccinated.

“What I don’t see is a financial facility established for the Fijians, irrespective of their stand on vaccination that would cater for any adverse events that we may encounter over the long term.

“Using the language of the Minister for Economy, to ‘future-proof’ our nation seems non-inclusive’.

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