The Unity Fiji party’s alternative budget was not focused on cutting the government’s total expenses, said party leader Savenaca Narube.
He said the alternative budget was directed towards easing people’s suffering, fighting the virus, and promoting a resource-based economy.
Mr Narube said this in response to what Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said during a recent news conference.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said it would have been a disaster if the Unity Fiji party’s alternative budget was implemented.
“I’ll tell you why, because he basically recommended a large budget cut,” he said.
He said Mr Narube had recommended a huge salary reduction for civil servants and if it was done, the economy would’ve shrunk.
“And when the economy shrinks you have less money in the economy, then, of course, there is no economic activity.
“As it is, people are unemployed because of tourism, because of borders closing down, which had a spillover effect on all the other sectors of the economy.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Mr Narube had proposed for the government to reduce its expenditure.
“So no $360, no $90, no GP excess, no market stall fees payment, none of that to be done, civil servants to have their pay cut, all of he was proposing that we should do.”
In response, Mr Narube said his party’s alternative budget would have given three times more to the people than what the government was doing with its token $360.
“We think that tourism will take five years to recover, the minister, as always, thinks that it will recover much faster.”
Mr Narube said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s interpretation of the party’s budget was absolutely wrong.
“We did not cut total expenses but redirected them to ease the people’s suffering, fight the virus and promote the resource-based economy.”
